Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

Knock, knock, knock.

Just as Lin Zheyu was fully absorbed in preparing his poisons, a knock echoed from the courtyard gate. He stopped, tidied up the items on the table, and then slowly walked over to open the door.

”What is it?” Lin Zheyu looked at the young Feihong Gang member standing outside and asked.

”Lord Lin, the Gang Leader requests your presence,” said the Feihong Gang member.

”All right, take me to him.”

Since Xu Qinyi and the other noble heirs had left, Lin Zheyu had not seen Xu Jingwu. He was unsure whether the man had been escorting his family members out of Songyi City or simply preoccupied with other affairs.

When Lin Zheyu arrived at Feihong Tower, he found that Xu Jingwu, for once, was not watching an opera but discussing matters in the main hall. He was speaking with two middle-aged men. One of them was Xu Yinghao, whom Lin Zheyu had met previously at Baishi Mountain. The other man was a stranger to him, yet his cultivation was impressive. His blood qi was thick and vigorous, having reached the second transformation.

Lin Zheyu waited outside for about fifteen minutes before the two finally emerged from the hall.

”Come in, sit wherever you like,” said Xu Jingwu with a smile.

”Greetings, Leader Xu.” Lin Zheyu stepped into the hall and saluted with cupped hands.

”You’re still so polite. Sit anywhere you like. There’s no need to be formal,” said Xu Jingwu with a grin.

”Thank you, Leader.” Lin Zheyu replied and sat down across from Xu Jingwu.

He picked up the teapot, poured Xu Jingwu a cup of tea, and filled his own as well. Though his strength had long surpassed Xu Jingwu’s, he still treated the man with deep respect.

Xu Jingwu had treated him well and had shown him kindness. Had he not joined the Feihong Gang back then, his strength would never have improved so quickly. Without the gang, he might still be worrying about how to earn enough silver to survive.

”How have you been staying in Songyi City lately?” asked Xu Jingwu with a smile. ”Back then, Qinyi invited you to leave with them. Why didn’t you go?”

”There were still some matters I needed to handle at the time, so I couldn’t leave. But as long as the rebel army doesn’t attack, Songyi City isn’t in much danger. Leaving later makes little difference. I practice my martial arts and read daily; it’s been quite fulfilling,” replied Lin Zheyu calmly.

Once he went to Bafang City, however, there would be no more chances to fish in troubled waters. Bafang City was the most prosperous city in the region. It lay at the crossroads of major trade routes, connecting eight directions, hence its name: the Bafang City[1].

Its strength was formidable. The city guard alone numbered thirty thousand, far beyond what Songyi City could compare to. Bandits rarely appeared in the surrounding forests. Whenever they did, the Bafang City Guards swiftly eradicated them. Destroying bandits earned military merit, so whenever soldiers heard of their presence, they would rush out eagerly, afraid that if they delayed even a moment, someone else would seize the credit.

”Is that so? I’ve heard you often go beyond the city walls into the deep mountains to hunt fierce beasts,” said Xu Jingwu with a smile.

”Yes. My time in martial training has been short, and I lack combat experience. Fighting beasts helps deepen my understanding of momentum,” Lin Zheyu nodded as he said.

”That’s true. One cannot comprehend momentum by shutting oneself indoors. It must be grasped through constant battle. Only through the clash of life and death can one awaken their martial conviction,” replied Xu Jingwu, nodding with agreement.

He, too, had once tried to comprehend momentum, but he had not devoted much effort to it and ultimately gained only a superficial grasp. Momentum was the embryonic form of intent, and intent was the essential threshold for advancing into the Force Transformation Realm.

But Xu Jingwu’s strength was only at the first transformation of blood qi; his chances of breaking through to the Marrow Refining Realm were already slim, let alone reaching the Force Transformation Realm. To him, comprehending momentum held little value. What mattered most now was finding a way to increase his strength rather than pursuing abstract concepts.

Only those with exceptional comprehension could easily grasp momentum. Ordinary people needed to spend immense time refining their martial conviction and integrating it deeply into their martial cultivation before they could begin to comprehend momentum. The process demanded great patience and time, and for most, the effort was hardly worth the return.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Zheyu went straight to the point, asking, ”Leader, did you summon me today because there’s something you need me to handle?”

”There is indeed something I need you to do,” replied Xu Jingwu.

Although the Feihong Gang had relinquished much of its territory outside the city, it still guarded several vital assets, such as those near Baishi Mountain, with heavy manpower. Furthermore, the team escorting people to Bafang City had yet to return, leaving the gang short-handed.

”Please give your orders, Leader,” said Lin Zheyu.

”Keep this letter and jade token safe. At dawn tomorrow, leave the city as usual and enter the mountains, then take a detour toward Daba Mountain. Once you’re inside Daba Mountain, blow this bamboo whistle with one long note followed by three short ones.

”After blowing it, wait half an hour. If no one shows up, change locations and blow again until someone comes to meet you. If someone does come, say to them: ’Righteousness soars beyond the clouds.’ If they respond, ’Reason over sentiment,’ hand them the letter,” said Xu Jingwu with grave solemnity.

Lin Zheyu listened in confusion, a faint sense of unease rising within him.

”Yes, Leader!” Lin Zheyu took the envelope with both hands and spoke solemnly.

”Leader, I’m only at the peak of the Bone Forging Realm. Why would you entrust this matter to me?” asked Lin Zheyu curiously.

From Xu Jingwu’s tone alone, it was clear how serious this matter was. Otherwise, there would be no need for such secrecy and coded exchanges. Yet it seemed odd that someone at his level was being assigned to handle something so important.

”Because you often leave the city, your departure won’t draw suspicion. The Feihong Gang has many spies from the Wuding Gang hidden among us. If we mobilize anyone above the Organ Forging Realm, it’ll draw attention and risk exposing our movements.”

”Among those at the Bone Forging Realm, you’re the strongest. Sending you is the best choice. There’s no need to worry. It’s not dangerous. It’s just that the person may be difficult to locate. If you can’t find the person within 15 days, don’t continue searching. Just return,” Xu Jingwu explained.

The situation was tense. Those at the Blood Qi Realm were needed to maintain order and couldn’t be deployed casually. Meanwhile, the Organ Forging Realm fighters were all occupied with other missions, and any sudden movement from them would quickly alert enemy spies. After much consideration, Xu Jingwu concluded that sending Lin Zheyu to Daba Mountain was the most suitable option.

”Leader, is that person very powerful? Is there anything I should be cautious of when I meet them?” asked Lin Zheyu.

”Extremely powerful. That person is a reclusive cultivator who once owed my Xu Family a debt of gratitude and promised to assist us once. Be respectful when you meet that senior and don’t ask any questions. Once you’ve exchanged the code phrase, show the jade token and hand the envelope to that senior,” Xu Jingwu instructed.

”Yes, I understand,” said Lin Zheyu with a nod.

”Now, come and accompany me to watch some opera. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the peace to sit and enjoy a full performance,” said Xu Jingwu with a laugh.

1. Bafang City (八方城) means the City of Eight Directions. ☜