Baiyun Temple.
“Greetings, Master Mingzhang!”
“Greetings, Young Master Lu,” Master Mingzhang replied, though his eyes were fixed on the bundle in Lu Zheng’s hand.
“Master, may we speak privately?”
“Follow me.”
Master Mingzhang led Lu Zheng to his private meditation chamber.
“Young Master Lu, you’ve done well to slay the corpse ghost,” Master Mingzhang praised.
“You could tell?”
“The bundle still faintly emanates ghostly aura. As a non-practitioner, you can’t sense it, but to me, it’s as clear as a lamp in the dark.”
“As you say, Master, the corpse ghost has been vanquished,” Lu Zheng nodded, recounting yesterday’s events to Master Mingzhang.
Of course, he substituted the net gun and Xiuchun blade with a fishing net and a long sword.
“You remained calm under pressure and triumphed through ingenuity. I’m impressed,” Master Mingzhang said with a nod and a smile, his eyes gleaming thoughtfully.
The corpse ghost was immensely strong and swift as the wind. Though Lu Zheng used tactics, his resolve and physical condition must be exceptional.
“However, it seems I’ve stirred up trouble again and must seek your aid once more.”
“Oh?”
Master Mingzhang had been curious why Lu Zheng returned. He’d assumed it was to boast about slaying the corpse ghost, but now it seemed otherwise.
“Please take a look, Master.”
Without holding back, Lu Zheng laid out the leather, booklet, and bronze token in a row before Master Mingzhang.
Master Mingzhang’s eyes immediately fell on the token.
“Night’s End King?”
Lu Zheng’s heart sank, confirming his fears.
“To think this corpse ghost was under the Night’s End King’s command?” Master Mingzhang raised an eyebrow.
“This Night’s End King…”
“A minor ghost king in the netherworld of Tonglin County,” Master Mingzhang explained.
Lu Zheng blinked. That’s it?
“And there’s a ghost cultivation technique and a painted skin art? This one held a high position. Could it be the Night’s End King’s favoured concubine?” Master Mingzhang chuckled. “From your account, this corpse ghost donned various painted skins, each with distinct charm. It must be his concubine; he’s fond of such types.”
Lu Zheng nearly wept. This feud had grown serious…
Noticing Lu Zheng’s expression, Master Mingzhang casually reassured him, “Don’t worry. With Tonglin County’s City God standing guard, the Night’s End King can’t reach the mortal world. Rest easy.”
“Please clarify, Master!” Lu Zheng seized the chance to voice his concerns. “Even if the Night’s End King can’t come, what about other ghosts? I’ve provoked him now. Can you explain clearly? What if there are consequences…”
“No need to fret. Leave the token with me, and the Night’s End King won’t find you,” Master Mingzhang said with a wave of his hand.
Lu Zheng nodded eagerly, relieved at the prospect.
“Also, you mentioned this *Supreme Yin Soul-Cleansing Scripture* is a ghost cultivation method, meaning living people can’t practice it?”
Master Mingzhang smiled. “This scripture details refining the soul with netherworld ghost energy. What, are you thinking of cultivating it?”
Lu Zheng waved his hands frantically. “No, no, I wouldn’t dare!”
“And this painted skin art…” Master Mingzhang picked up the leather, rubbing it. “It’s indeed human skin.”
Lu Zheng grimaced.
“Painted skins and beast creation are all crooked, evil arts,” Master Mingzhang shook his head. “Not the path for upright practitioners.”
After a moment’s thought, he said to Lu Zheng, “Do you wish to cultivate?”
“With utmost sincerity and determination!”
Master Mingzhang nodded. “These scriptures and arts are not benevolent. They’re of no benefit to you. I’ll take them.”
Lu Zheng fully agreed, having already photographed their contents with his phone.
“Since you killed the corpse ghost, these items are yours by right. I can’t take them for nothing,” Master Mingzhang paused. “As you sincerely wish to cultivate, I have a breathing technique. Practice it diligently, and in time, you’ll sense qi and advance your cultivation.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up. “Wonderful, thank you, Master!”
Seizing the moment, he pressed, “Besides the breathing technique, are there any methods for subduing demons or exorcising ghosts?”
Master Mingzhang rolled his eyes. “None.”
Before Lu Zheng could persist, Master Mingzhang retrieved a thin scripture from a small cabinet nearby.
“Let me explain the scripture to you.”
…
Half a day later, Lu Zheng had to admit that cultivation truly required a master’s guidance.
Master Mingzhang patiently explained the scripture’s methods, clarifying cultivation terms and their meanings.
He guided Lu Zheng hands-on, pointing out how to breathe, empty the mind, and sense qi.
Moreover, Master Mingzhang channelled his own true qi into Lu Zheng’s body, letting him feel and memorise the flow of energy.
For a full two hours, Master Mingzhang thoroughly detailed the breathing technique.
Though the time was short and Lu Zheng hadn’t yet sensed qi, he now genuinely understood how to cultivate.
“Have you memorised it?”
“Yes.”
“Good. This scripture is yours. Study it carefully, practice diligently, and in time, you’ll achieve results.”
“Thank you, Master!”
“Mm.”
Taking the scripture, Lu Zheng finally saw its title: *Midday-Midnight Stillness Breathing Method*.
“Master, could you tell me about the City God and the Night’s End King?”
“Er…”
“I’m somewhat a cultivator now, so it’s fine to know these things, right?”
Master Mingzhang sighed, exasperated. “What kind of cultivator are you…”
Fine, having taken his items and taught him a breathing technique, Lu Zheng could barely be considered a cultivator. Sharing some details wouldn’t hurt.
“The affairs of the wider world are too distant for us. Even I don’t know their depths, so I won’t speak of them. I’ll tell you about the Dajing Dynasty and cultivation matters in Tonglin County.”
“Yes, yes, please!”
Lu Zheng nodded eagerly, thrilled to glimpse the cultivation world’s tip.
“There are many cultivators in the world. Baiyun Temple follows the Taoist path. There are also Buddhist practitioners, sword cultivators, martial artists, and others, all considered orthodox.”
“Beyond that, demons, ghosts, and monsters abound. In Tonglin County’s vicinity, there’s only the Night’s End King hiding in the netherworld, plus a few scattered demons.”
“As is well known, beyond the mortal world we live in, there are blessed lands, grotto heavens, and shadowy netherworlds.”
Lu Zheng: *Well known, my foot!*
“You don’t need specifics. Just think of them as other realms, not as vast as our mortal world, and dependent on it.”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow. Subspaces and pocket worlds in this reality?
“Places rich in spiritual energy are blessed lands, havens for cultivators. Those filled with netherworld energy are shadowy netherworlds, homes to ghosts.”
“By nature, when people die, their souls fade like extinguished lamps, returning to the heavens and their origins.”
“But… with the existence of shadowy netherworlds, ghosts have a foundation to persist.”
