Chapter 39: Tempering in the Mortal World (Part 1)

  The room fell silent, and next was the question that Qin Yifan wanted to ask. Long Yi asked everyone to leave, leaving only Qin Yifan, Qin Xiaoling, and Lin Qiulü on the scene. This might be a secret of their sect, not suitable for outsiders to witness. As for Qin Xiaoling and Lin Qiulü, they were currently considered Qin Yifan's people, so it was up to him to decide what to do with them.

  After what just happened, Long Tong also saw that as long as Qin Yifan was there, nothing would happen to Qin Xiaoling. Since that's the case, it's not necessary for several people to follow them like they're facing a great enemy, and it would also give Qin Yifan a bad impression, showing that they don't trust the people he brings. Moreover, since it involves the inner court manager, it's better to avoid it. At this moment, the old eunuch is not by the emperor's side, so the emperor's safety requires Long Tong to worry more.

  Qin Yifan didn't have anything to avoid Qin Xiaoling and Lin Qiulü. When it came to martial arts, the two of them might not even be able to understand in front of him. The old eunuch was following the emperor's orders, only responsible for answering Qin Yifan's questions, and he didn't care about anyone else being present or not.

  "I'd like to ask, is it possible to achieve the Hundred Meridian Cultivation? How can one accomplish this?" Qin Yifan didn't put on airs, as this was a favor he had come to ask of the Emperor, and he didn't have any thoughts of being grateful to the old eunuch. However, the old eunuch was advanced in age, loyal and devoted, with high martial arts skills, so he deserved Qin Yifan's respect as his senior. Qin Yifan wasn't an arrogant person, so he still referred to himself as a junior.

  "Kung Hsing Bai Mai!" The old eunuch carefully savored the phrase Qin Yifan had spoken, and was deep in thought for a while. It wasn't until after a good long while that he finally spoke up, but didn't directly answer the question: "Your internal energy is very strange, it actually contains explosive power within, what's the reason? How many meridians have you cultivated so far?"

  "The explosion of internal force is due to the compression and release of true yuan, as for my meridians, I currently only have four." Qin Yifan also did not hide it, directly saying it out. Since he wanted to ask someone else for advice and let them diagnose him, he naturally had to let people know his situation by speaking out.

  "What do you think of our family's internal strength?" The old eunuch seemed to have reversed his usual demeanor, becoming more amiable, and even when asking questions, he no longer used those derogatory terms like "young whippersnapper" or "junior".

  "Senior's internal force is too strong, junior is no match." This isn't Qin Yifan being self-deprecating, the old eunuch's internal force was unusually powerful, and with just two fingers holding an ordinary embroidery needle, he could deflect Qin Yifan's chopping knife. They had exchanged so many rounds, if it were Qin Yifan himself, he definitely couldn't have done that. If not for the advantage of Qin Yifan's weapon, it would be hard to say who would win.

  "Do you know how many meridians are involved in the internal skill I've been practicing at home?" The old eunuch asked with a smile, but didn't answer Qin Yifan's original question.

  Qin Yifan shook his head, indicating that he didn't know. The old eunuch wasn't annoyed either, and chuckled a few times: "Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me. But the true cultivators of this skill are only four meridians."

  "Our family has been practicing from the age of six, and at the age of seven, we were favored by the great master and given the key to success. We have been cultivating until now, for seventy-six years, and even now, I dare not say that we can reach the level of achieving a hundred meridians. However, the method I studied is enough to shock heaven and earth, and make ghosts and gods cry. The predecessor who created this method was indeed profound and unfathomable, otherwise, our family would not have achieved what we have today."

  However, his words startled Qin Yifan, who had been practicing martial arts since the age of seven and had been doing so for seventy-six years. This old eunuch was now eighty-three years old! At this age, he still had such agility and internal strength, which was truly astonishing. When looking at the old eunuch again, his eyes showed even more reverence, as if he were Qin Yifan's grandfather.

  It's strange, I don't have this feeling when facing those Taoist priests. To them, 180 years seems to be just an apprentice, looking very young. However, for some reason, Qin Yifan really can't get excited about showing respect to this old eunuch.

  The old eunuch ignored Qin Yifan's gaze, presumably because he had seen such gazes too many times before. However, after all, Qin Yifan was a high-ranking official who showed him such respect, and the old eunuch was delighted in his heart, pointing out Qin Yifan with great enthusiasm.

  "Our family also considered the problem you mentioned for a period of time, and at that time, we also encountered a bottleneck like you, with no improvement in several years." The old eunuch also showed a nostalgic expression: "However, our family has tried many methods, but to no avail. Cultivating the hundred meridians is not something anyone can do."

  Upon hearing this, Qin Yifan's heart sank. Could it be that the number one master of the Imperial Palace was also at a loss? However, years of experience in dealing with his old friend from Lake Hu had made Qin Yifan extremely patient, and he didn't show any change in expression, continuing to listen quietly.

  "Our family's kung fu is not ordinary, after all these years, there hasn't been even a slight improvement. Later on, I also came to understand that not all kung fu methods are suitable for the kind of meridian circulation and full-body movement you imagine would lead to improvement." Speaking about his most proud martial arts problem, it's still his own years of experience, the old eunuch's face is filled with excitement. Especially with a master like Qin Yifan listening to his teachings by his side, this feeling becomes even stronger.

  "Perhaps it's the limitation of our family's kung fu, but I don't believe that. If we can't transfer the true yuan to other meridians, then we can't break through." A cold, shrill laugh echoed twice: "At this point, I'm going all out, using my original kung fu, practicing day and night without rest. Finally, one day, my true yuan did change. Although it's not a complete breakthrough, but if you touch me now, it won't be that easy." Later on, these words sounded casual, but the hardship could still be heard from that cold, shrill laugh.

  "That was also the time when His Majesty personally led the expedition, and His Majesty took pity on our family's advanced age and did not allow us to follow. Our family also had time to refine internal skills, otherwise, how could you have broken into the forbidden area!" When mentioning Qin Yifan's past, the old eunuch was unhappy, but considering Qin Yifan was still humble, he didn't make things difficult for him.

  Qin Yifan didn't respond, but quietly listened and compared the situation to his own. The old eunuch's words made sense, but they were only suitable for his own reasoning. Was there something that hadn't been said yet?

  "It's not that our family is hiding secrets, it's just that our method of practice is different from yours." The old eunuch's ability to observe and understand the subtleties of language was unparalleled, having served several emperors for decades. Without this skill, he wouldn't have been able to sit stably in his position as the head manager of the inner court. Just by looking at Qin Yifan's face, he knew what he was thinking: "Our family's method can only be studied by the eunuchs of the inner court."

  As soon as he said this, Qin Yifan immediately understood. The old eunuch's kung fu was originally a special kung fu for eunuchs, which required self-mutilation to practice. It turns out that the kung fu that originally needed incomplete meridians to practice couldn't possibly run through all the meridians after all. It seems that this time in the imperial palace, there won't be any gains in this aspect.

  However, it's not like there were no gains. At least the battle with Lao Taijian allowed Qin Yifan to improve his offense and defense to a certain extent. Lao Taijian's movements and attack speed made Qin Yifan feel deeply, and also served as a good reminder for his own understanding of martial arts.

  He had never thought that the number one eunuch in the imperial palace was a eunuch, so he didn't expect this result. He planned to ask other guards for advice, but the old eunuch shook his head and stopped him: "Those who can serve in the imperial palace, including our family, are all pursuing wealth and nobility. Our family is not yet at the root of right and wrong, with a heart that has no distractions, those people are even more unbearable, how can there be great achievements? I advise you not to waste your thoughts here."

  The old lady said so, it's not unreasonable. However, isn't Qin Yifan's trip here completely meaningless? Is he just here to compete with the old lady? The old lady sighed: "It's been a long time since I've seen a young person like you, neither arrogant nor impatient, and not getting angry even when provoked multiple times. Young people with such temperament are rare nowadays, especially since you're willing to give up wealth and glory that's within your grasp, in this aspect, I'm inferior to you."

  He was so self-deprecating that Qin Yifan was somewhat unexpected. The old eunuch, however, was not as surprised as him: "Our family appreciates you and points out a bright path for you."

  "Although those prestigious families haven't produced any particularly outstanding descendants in many years, the kung fu passed down through their generations also has its unique aspects. If you have a connection, it's worth looking them up." The old eunuch spoke of those prestigious families with disdain on his face, but he praised their kung fu: "If you don't have one, our family had a friend when we were young, I don't know if he's still alive now. Bring our token to him, and maybe he can give you some guidance."

  What was handed over to Qin Yifan was a jade pendant, Qin Yifan was grateful in his heart and carefully kept it. The inner court manager was indeed not an ordinary person, even the token of trust was made of extremely fine Hetian jade, exquisitely carved, with a small Li character in the middle of one side.

  "This old friend of mine once said he lived on the edge of the desert in the northwest. If you have time, go find him." The old eunuch looked at the dark sky, perhaps thinking of his old friend with some emotion: "I hope he hasn't died yet, he still owes me a favor, I'll give it to you, ask him for me!"