Chapter 192: Mercurial Dragon Lead Tiger Red Pill Method
However, the only good news is that the passage of “Yin Dregs exhausted, Corpse Qi extinguished” will not overly affect Chen Shun’an for the time being.
Elder Feng is in the Slay Five Thieves Realm, yet even he cannot fully control it, with Corpse Qi out of guard, turning into a half-human half-tree existence.
As for Chen Shun’an’s own estimation, it probably won’t worsen until after Slay the Six Thieves, before facing this passage squarely.
It can be delayed, but there is no solution.
Becoming a Martial Dao Grandmaster is actually so difficult?
All beings are equal; mediocre talents and Heavenly Prides are all blocked at the door.
Even as early as the beginning of the Martial Path, the Second-rate Realm has already been obstructing from within.
Chen Shun’an felt somewhat emotional.
No wonder, in the entire Sacred Dynasty, producing one Martial Dao Grandmaster is calculated on the scale of several decades.
However, this also proves the terror of a Martial Dao Grandmaster to some extent.
There are martial artists in the world as numerous as carp crossing the river, yet those who can become Martial Dao Grandmasters are but a scant few.
They can even fight Flood Dragons and slay Immortals and Gods.
“So Noble Consort Chen has long been a True Intent Master, even at least Slayed Four Thieves?”
Qingchen set down the door panel to prevent the cold air from rushing into the room.
Only then did she drape on a lotus-root colored velvet robe, with half of her snow-white neck exposed at the collar, and walked into the courtyard.
Snowflakes fell on her hair, like a handful of scattered broken stars, making her appear even more otherworldly and extraordinary.
Chen Shun’an looked at Qingchen with some surprise and said,
“You also know about Martial Path matters?”
“Although Qingchen has long resided in deep mountains, that mountain is a famous mountain, visited by many travelers, from peddlers and laborers below to kings, nobles, and generals above… The master in the temple even once brought an unnamed Martial Dao Grandmaster to climb the mountain and stay at the temple. Through constant exposure, Qingchen learned some.”
Qingchen regained her initial ethereal aura and said,
“I once heard the master say that the condition like Noble Consort Chen’s is an external manifestation before becoming a Martial Dao Grandmaster, where qi is exhausted and life is about to end, body dies and soul perishes, yet it is also a sign of shedding the old form and forging a new one, with the Nascent Spirit about to form.”
Chen Shun’an nodded.
What Qingchen said was quite similar to Elder Feng’s words, achieving the same effect through different means.
Qingchen suddenly spoke up,
“And Qingchen has long practiced a method called Mercurial Dragon Lead Tiger Red Pill Method, which is not martial arts but a secret method… Perhaps, it can help Noble Consort Chen dispel Corpse Qi and stabilize qi channels and soul.”
“However, this method requires you and I to practice together, which is quite difficult. Qingchen has lived in seclusion for twenty years; apart from myself, even the other sisters in the old temple cannot learn it.”
Dispel Corpse Qi?
Chen Shun’an was stunned upon hearing this.
There is actually such a secret method in the world?
Simply unheard of!
As for it being quite difficult…
Chen Shun’an suddenly realized the origins of this secret method.
It probably already falls into the category of Daoist scriptures.
Others would find it hard to hear of it, even overlook it, treating it as commonplace.
However…
Mercurial Dragon Lead Tiger Red Pill Method?
The name of this secret method is strange, seeming to hold profound mysteries.
Chen Shun’an narrowed his eyes and said,
“You and I are strangers who have never met, and you are even my prisoner, a canary in a cage… You, a mere woman, are willing to commit your pure body to me?”
Qingchen smiled faintly and said: “I don’t even know if I am male or female, so how can we talk of a pure body or committing to another?”
Chen Shun’an said in surprise: “What do you mean by that?”
Qingchen said: “You Xue Qiong Lin states: Formless Form, no self. All worldly affairs go wrong because of form and self. When Vimalakirti expounded the Dharma, a heavenly nymph scattered flowers; Manjushri Bodhisattva and the great bodhisattvas below had flowers that did not stick to their bodies, only Bodhi had flowers sticking to his body. Why is that?
It is because everyone did not see the heavenly nymph as a woman, so the flowers did not stick;
Bodhi could not be free from form and self, nor from male form and female form, so he saw the heavenly nymph as a woman, and the flowers immediately stuck to his body.
All our troubles and endless suffering arise from the single thought of knowing ourselves as man or woman. If we see clearly that male and female are inherently no different, we enter the supreme Esoteric Buddhism paradise of bliss.”
Not distinguishing male and female forms, all arising from the mind?
Such a high realm?
Chen Shun’an was greatly shocked.
He was just a rough man; Qingchen saying so much was useless.
Chen Shun’an simply didn’t believe it!
“Since you, Qingchen, have no form and no self… then please impart the technique!”
Chen Shun’an immediately said.
Moments later.
Qingchen slowly stopped speaking and finished reciting the full content of the Mercurial Dragon Lead Tiger Red Pill Method.
Then, under Qingchen’s surprised gaze, Chen Shun’an actually recited it back word for word,
“Man emerges from water, water gives birth to metal. Mercurial Dragon and Lead Tiger battle in the Yellow Court. Clouds gather and rain scatters, qi condenses and spirit solidifies. Yin and Yang wondrously unite for a hundred days to achieve spiritual merit. Difficult at the start, easy at the end, gradually attaining wisdom. Constantly seal the apertures, naturally without leaks or disasters…”
Qingchen was silent for a long time, then said ethereally: “Noble Consort Chen truly has the makings of a Martial Saint.”
Is that so?
Everyone says that.
Chen Shun’an’s expression remained unchanged.
“Is this method you saw in You Xue Qiong Lin?”
“Correct.” Qingchen nodded.
Alright, Obstruction of Perception.
Chen Shun’an couldn’t explain things to people like Scholar Ma or Qingchen.
But talk without practice is empty.
Whether the Mercurial Dragon Lead Tiger Red Pill Method works…
Could only be tried.
Chen Shun’an’s expression was solemn, with the piety before each martial arts practice, as he scooped Qingchen into his arms at the waist, stepped down from the bed, and said,
“Please transmit the Dao.”
Qingchen’s eyelashes trembled lightly, and in the end, she only said one word,
“Please.”
Thus, the bed creaked, spring light brighter than the moon.
Surpassing the wind and snow filling the sky outside the house for a moment.
【Wish +6】
……
Half a day later.
The silver silk charcoal in the brazier burned down to mere embers.
A corner of the moon-white brocade quilt on the bed was stained with a glaring red pill, like a fallen remnant plum blossom.
Chen Shun’an sat upright on the bed, his eyes bright and spirited, his face solemn, staring at Qingchen dancing again.
In the room,
Qingchen’s moon-white Daoist robe was soaked half-transparent with fragrant sweat, clinging to her waist and outlining curves.
She danced the Heavenly Demon Dance and sang the Wonderful Lotus Sutra.
But for some reason, Qingchen occasionally endured pain with a muffled hum, her hand quickly covering her lower abdomen, yet she continued gritting her teeth and persisting.
“Rustle—”
A faint wriggling sound came from behind Chen Shun’an.
From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed several tentacles emerging from his legs.
But they were much shorter than last time, only two-thirds the number remaining.
They trembled lightly in the air, no longer spreading wantonly as before.
At the same time, Chen Shun’an felt some indescribable changes in himself.
His Spiritual Platform cleared somewhat, wiping away dust.
Like unloading a thousand-jin burden, even his Flying Immortal Strength inside became more agile, fuller.
Presumably due to suppressing Yin Dregs and Corpse Qi.
However, not enough…
Chen Shun’an shook his head inwardly, but showed a helpless expression on his face, and said,
“Qingchen, Chen Mou still doesn’t fully understand the Mercurial Dragon Lead Tiger Red Pill Method. Please transmit the Dao once more.”
Qingchen’s movements stiffened slightly, then resumed their graceful poise, as if merely completing an ordinary task.
Her gaze calmly met Chen Shun’an’s as she stepped forward step by step, like an orchid from an empty valley tainted by worldly turbid qi, still blooming slowly.
【Wish +9】
……
Another half day.
Continuing to chant sutras, then dance.
Chen Shun’an was dull-witted and couldn’t comprehend the Mercurial Dragon Lead Tiger Red Pill Method; even after seeking the Dao again, there were still parts he didn’t understand.
Another furnace of silver silk charcoal was added to the room, with steaming warmth mixed with a hint of amorous air.
Qingchen was drenched in fragrant sweat, curled up like a kitten on the bed, her snow-like delicate body nearly strengthless, her autumn eyes hazy and dazed, oblivious to heaven and earth.
Chen Shun’an sighed, helplessly saying,
“Qingchen, Chen Mou still has some parts I don’t understand. Could you transmit the Dao once more?”
Thus, Qingchen, who had been calm and ethereal from start to finish, finally showed some panic and shyness in her words.
She abruptly pulled over the brocade quilt, covering her head, her arms and legs quickly retreating into the quilt, not even daring to show a fingertip outside.
After a moment, a muffled, trembling voice came from under the quilt,
“An, another day…”
Seeing this, Chen Shun’an shook his head, stood up, and slowly dressed and fastened his belt.
Then, with a trace of contempt in his eyes, he glanced at the curled-up figure on the bed.
Hmph, pretending!
Still saying no male form or female form in the heart, flowers don’t stick, no troubles.
Now there are, right?
It wasn’t Chen Shun’an being arrogant or relying on age.
He was nearly fifty, had seen all sorts of people.
He didn’t believe a young person who had lived only ten or twenty years, even secluded in deep mountains, not knowing the price of a jin of japonica rice at the recent market, could truly see through the red dust, be pure-hearted and desireless, like a heavenly being.
Moreover,
Chen Shun’an had no leisure to waste massive time playing cat-and-mouse with some ‘temple beauty nun,’ you pull me push.
His diligent martial arts practice to regain the Path of Divinity wasn’t to waste time on this.
If this Qingchen was obedient and sincerely transmitted the Dao, he wouldn’t mind occasionally indulging, sinking into enjoyment, keeping a canary.
If disobedient, or harboring other intentions in her heart.
Then he wouldn’t hesitate to crush the flower ruthlessly.
Pushing open the door, remnant snow in the courtyard still clung to the grapevine, the cold fragrance of winter plum drifting in.
An old woman who washed clothes and cooked, dressed in coarse hemp clothes, hurried over with a fawning smile, her waist bent almost to the ground,
“Shopkeeper Chen.”
“Mother Liu, go to the market and select some diligent and clever servants and maidservants…”
With that, Chen Shun’an tossed her a silver ingot.
Now living in this courtyard was far less casual than those few shabby rooms in Chaodou Hutong.
From small things like maintaining rockeries and ponds, dredging silt; to large things like constant attendants for travel.
Serving anytime anywhere under the horse or sedan: lighting a pipe, pouring tea, opening a door, holding an umbrella…
All this required people.
It wasn’t Chen Shun’an showing off wealth; upon reaching a certain identity, one must uphold that identity to enter the corresponding circles.
“No need for many, pick three to five. Use the rest of the silver to buy winter clothing for yourself and Miss Qingchen…”
“Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Shop… Master!” Mother Liu beamed with joy, quickly tucking the silver ingot into her bosom, even changing her address.
“Aiya!”
Chen Shun’an responded, feeling utterly satisfied inside.
Vegetable garden, canary, orioles and swallows singing, lute and zither in harmony.
Chen Mou had slightly fulfilled one of his own wishes.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do; this Sacred Dynasty is truly corrupting!”
……
Three Forked Road.
Deep water area.
Turbid river water wrapped in mud and sand.
Silver Scholar and Golden Scaled Perch hid one after another in rock crevices, scales pressed against slick stones.
They peered quietly through gaps in the mud and sand at a spot not far away.
There was a water cave seemingly dug by some loach or crab, with a ragged ship plank bound by hemp rope and staked into the silt on both sides, serving as a door.
The ship plank slightly ajar, faint “gurgle” sounds came from inside.
Vaguely, seven or eight water demons clustered densely behind, mostly Catfish Spirits or green-scaled monsters.
Ugly in appearance, low in intelligence, without much supernatural power.
These water demons were all haggard, occasionally using their mouths to hold rough Clam Shells or pebbles, smashing and rubbing against a stone mill-sized scale embedded in the wall, colored like congealed blood.
Faint red light glowed, profound intent flowing upon it.
