Chapter Seventy: The Doctrine of Harmonizing Yin and Yang

Lu Qian had no interest in cultivating corpses, especially not with living people—he simply did not wish to. He never claimed to be a good person. The number of people he had killed was at least over a hundred. Yet every one of them had opposed him.

"Immortal! It's me, Immortal!" As he passed by the cages, a burly man with a scarred face suddenly shouted, pounding hard on the iron bars in an attempt to catch Lu Qian's attention.

"You know me?" Lu Qian paused.

"Sir, we met just a few days ago," the man explained, jogging Lu Qian's memory. It was the crowd of martial artists who had blocked his path.

"Sir, please save us brothers, for the sake of our brief acquaintance," Black Hawk pleaded, as if grasping at a lifeline.

The Black Hawk gang, dragged here, understood well what fate awaited them. If they must become slaves, better to serve someone familiar—perhaps, for old times' sake, their new master would be merciful.

"Fellow Daoist, are you interested in one? All skilled martial artists, robust and strong!" A middle-aged man approached, dressed in black robes, his gaze fierce. Mist swirled around him, faint cries of vengeful spirits echoing. Noticing Lu Qian's gaze, he continued, "Daoist, these are top-quality goods, only twenty magic coins each."

Lu Qian said nothing, but turned to Black Hawk. "Why should I save you?"

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Black Hawk hastened to reply, "Sir, my brothers and I can do any dirty or hard work. I have numerous connections in Tongquan City, known in the martial world as the Cold-blooded Thirteen Hawks."

"Tongquan City?" Lu Qian's heart stirred; he would be there for two years—a span neither long nor short. There would always be mundane matters needing his attention; he could leave Black Hawk and his men to handle some affairs.

"Let it be clear: I buy you not for your freedom, understand?" Lu Qian looked up at Black Hawk.

"I understand, sir. To serve under you is an immense honor; I dare not hope for more."

"Rest assured, Daoist. We've placed a talisman seal on them; they won't betray you." The middle-aged man pointed to the cinnabar mark on Black Hawk's neck.

"Fine, I'll buy all thirteen. Give me a discount—two hundred magic coins!"

"Deal! Do you need soul cleansing?" The man's smile was sinister.

He explained: soul cleansing erases memories, leaving only basic skills.

"No need."

"Very well, Daoist, come closer and I'll teach you the incantation for the cinnabar talisman. With this seal, their lives and deaths are yours to command; they will do whatever you wish."

The middle-aged man let out a strange, cackling laugh, startling those nearby.

The men stepped out of the cages, a sense of regained freedom washing over them. Black Hawk glanced around, taking in the strange and mystical sights, yet felt little fear.

"No matter what, I have finally entered this world," he thought, knowing only Lu Qian was his anchor here.

This capture had taught him something: martial experts were as powerless as ants. Even as a slave to an immortal, he was far superior to any martial hero.

Under the subtle influence of the cinnabar talisman, Black Hawk quickly accepted his new identity.

With his new followers, Lu Qian purchased a dozen ordinary horses and set out.

"You are Black Hawk? Why were you captured?" Lu Qian asked.

Black Hawk gave a bitter smile. "After seeing you that day, I was inspired and followed your trail, but lost track... Then I arrived near Huanglong City, heard tales of a Daoist skilled in immortal arts, met an old Daoist, and when I awoke, found myself in a cage."

"Was the old Daoist white-haired, with an immortal's bearing?"

"Yes."

Lu Qian smiled wryly. It was indeed that old fox Xuan Xiao. "We are fated, it seems. From now on, you are mine."

"Your subordinate swears unwavering loyalty, ready for fire and water, no matter the cost!"

They arrived at the inn. Black Hawk entered, ignoring the noisy attendant, and knocked on the door.

The door opened to reveal two graceful beauties.

Black Hawk paused, then quickly lowered his gaze, thinking these must be the Daoist's women—he must not offend.

"Ladies, the master sent us to fetch you."

"Master?" Yue invited, puzzled.

"Daoist Lu."

Hearing this, Yue invited finally believed him. She had not expected such a burly man to be the Daoist's subordinate.

The group went downstairs.

"Move aside, move aside!" A portly merchant hurried past, nearly bumping into the sisters.

"Watch it! Are you blind?"

Black Hawk kicked the merchant in the back; the man tumbled down the stairs like a gourd.

"You..." Seeing the scar on Black Hawk's face, the merchant was struck dumb with fear.

Black Hawk respectfully sat at the front of the carriage, inviting the two women aboard. "Greetings, ladies."

The remaining twelve Hawks bowed deeply.

"No, please, that's not necessary," the sisters replied, both a little overwhelmed. Never before had anyone treated them with such gravity. Those martial artists, once so lofty, now bowed and scraped before them like servants.

Yue invited, surprised, found herself secretly enchanted by the feeling.

After boarding the carriage, Lu Qian sat inside, eyes closed in thought.

Yue invited, emboldened, gently placed her hands on Lu Qian's shoulders, kneading slowly.

"Is the pressure right, sir?" she asked.

Lu Qian nodded slightly, saying nothing. Cool, soft jade fingers pressed into his acupoints; his head rested against warmth, his nose filled with a subtle fragrance—a scene most idyllic.

The carriage rolled toward Tongquan City.

There was much to be done: repairing magical artifacts, cultivating the Blood Seal Dao Soldiers.

The Blood Seal Dao Soldier was an art of implanting the bloodline of parasitic beasts into the human body.

Mastering this would give him greater confidence when refining the body and transforming blood in the future, Lu Qian mused.

The carriage sped along smoothly; leaning against Yue invited's lap, Lu Qian felt little jostling.

Beside him, Xi Yue knelt quietly, barely daring to breathe, her awe of cultivators keeping her from being as bold as her sister.

"You are Xi Yue? Lift your head," Lu Qian said to the shy, demure girl.

Xi Yue trembled slightly, summoned her courage, and looked up at him. Her cheeks were flushed, lashes long, eyes like autumn waters—she resembled a budding daisy.

Her sister Yue invited was quite the opposite: fiery, bold, and clever, a peony in full bloom.

Lu Qian sat upright, gazing at the sisters. "Are you literate?"

"I studied with my father from childhood, well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics," Yue invited replied eagerly.

The sisters had come from an official family; their father was imprisoned for a crime, and they were sent to the music bureau, only later taken in by Xuan Xiao.

Lu Qian looked the women over, his smile enigmatic. "Very good. I will now teach you the 'Chapter of Yin-Yang Harmony and Locking Qi.' It is divided into internal and external arts; memorize the incantations and postures well, and recite them to me."