Chapter Thirty-Eight: A New Identity

“We have no other choice now,” Wang Qingxuan nodded.

Qin Yi returned to his room and once again brought up his system panel.

Qin Yi:

Five Energies Returning to Origin Fist: Mastered (Five-layered Force)
Heaven’s Pivot Palm: Mastered
摇光 Movement Technique: Mastered (Soaring Shift)
Azure Void Skill: Embryonic Breathing
Heavenly Jade Step: Mastered (Instant Step)
Heavenly Authority Claw: Mastered (Penetrating Wood)
Energy Points: 47

“This tingling sensation only started after I mastered the fifth martial art. Could that be the cause?” Qin Yi speculated. He had never encountered this phenomenon before, not even after frequent use of secret techniques.

Moreover, he had noticed something important: the Azure Void Skill might help with this discomfort!

“It seems I’ll need to cultivate diligently in the days ahead.”

Three days later.

At the foot of Mount Qingwei Dao Palace.

Qin Yi and Qin Zumin, each carrying a travel bag, waved farewell to Wang Qingxuan.

“Master, we part ways today, and I do not know when we will meet again. Please take care,” Qin Yi said with a bow.

“You take care as well. If fate allows, we’ll meet again,” Wang Qingxuan replied, waving his hand.

With that, the two parted ways.

Along the journey, Qin Yi deliberately led his father around Jinyuan County, taking a smaller path toward Jiangning Commandery.

In fact, Qin Yi could have stayed a while longer and learned the Heavenly Axis Finger or the Jade Balance Fist from Wang Qingxuan. But considering his physical condition, and the fact that in Jiangning he could study sixth-rank martial arts at the Fangxian Sect, he abandoned the idea.

Besides, the Heavenly Axis Finger overlapped with the Heavenly Authority Claw, and since he already knew the Five Energies Returning to Origin Fist, he was not interested in learning the Jade Balance Fist, which lacked any secret techniques.

Ten days later.

Qin Yi and his father arrived at a place called Yellow Sand Town on the outskirts of Jiangning Commandery.

On a mountain outside Yellow Sand Town stood the Fangxian Sect’s headquarters.

Within the town, at the Laifu Inn.

Qin Yi and Qin Zumin, travel-worn, stepped inside.

“Innkeeper, we’d like two upper rooms,” Qin Yi requested.

“Certainly. May I see your travel passes?” The innkeeper, a short man, squinted as he spoke.

“We’re refugees from Jinyuan County. With the rebels there, as you surely know, where would we get such papers?” Qin Yi said, slipping a tael of silver to the innkeeper without drawing attention.

The innkeeper pocketed the silver and grinned, “I understand, I understand. An upper room is five hundred cash per day, meals included.”

“We’ll stay one day for now,” Qin Yi said, paying the fee.

“Very well, please head upstairs, gentlemen!”

Early the next morning, Qin Yi took his father up the mountain.

Upon reaching the summit, they saw a wide expanse dotted with buildings.

“The Fangxian Sect is five times the size of Qingwei Dao Palace—quite majestic,” Qin Yi remarked.

At the mountain gate, a young Daoist attendant spotted the early visitors and approached with a smile. “Gentlemen, are you here to fulfill a vow or to make one?”

“Little Daoist, I’m here to see Daoist Master Yang Yuanzi. Please tell him that an old friend from Jinyuan County who once saved his life wishes to meet him. I’m sure he’ll see me,” Qin Yi said.

“I’ll report to Uncle-Master Yang at once,” the young Daoist replied, making no trouble and heading off to deliver the message.

A quarter-hour later, inside a quiet chamber.

Yang Yuanzi, who looked to be in his fifties with a touch of baby fat, finished reading the letter in his hand. He then looked up at Qin Yi. “Qin Feng, are you his direct disciple?”

“Yes, Uncle-Master,” Qin Yi replied. Since the Fangxian Sect and Qingwei Dao Palace shared the same Daoist lineage, it was appropriate to address him as uncle-master.

Yang Yuanzi pondered for a moment. He had heard news from Qingwei Dao Palace some days ago. Unfortunate, indeed.

“I’ve read your master’s letter. He wishes to place you in our Fangxian Sect. However, all our Daoist registration slots are already filled for the year. I’m afraid I must apologize to you and your master,” Yang Yuanzi said helplessly.

Qin Yi frowned. Was the man refusing to help him, disregarding the debt owed to his master for saving his life?

“However, while I can’t accept you into the sect, I can arrange a new identity for you to live lawfully in Jiangning Commandery. What do you think?”

“Will this identity withstand official scrutiny?” Qin Yi asked.

“Of course! With so many refugees flooding the city, many seek such identities. The intricacies are not for outsiders to know, but you can rest assured on this point,” Yang Yuanzi replied with a smile.

“May I learn your sect’s martial arts, then?” Qin Yi pressed—the matter he cared about most.

“Certainly not. You’re not one of us, and I can’t teach you in secret. I’ll apologize to your master about this,” Yang Yuanzi replied. He was unwilling to fully repay Wang Qingxuan’s favor, not wanting to be entangled with Qingwei Dao Palace. Keeping a former member of that sect here would be an unstable factor. This was his compromise.

Seeing his attitude, Qin Yi realized it was a matter of character.

“May I at least study your scholarly techniques? My master always told me you were warm-hearted. Surely you won’t refuse this, Uncle-Master?” Qin Yi deliberately brought up Wang Qingxuan’s name.

Yang Yuanzi’s face flushed. “You wish to learn our scholarly techniques? Of course! I can teach you privately.”

The Fangxian Sect didn’t value these scholarly methods much and even taught them to lay visitors for health.

“Thank you. Oh, and could you also arrange an identity for my father, Qin Min?” Qin Yi asked.

“That... may not be possible. Arranging new identities requires greasing many palms,” Yang Yuanzi replied, shamelessly.

“Two hundred taels, will that suffice?” Qin Yi produced the silver.

“It will take three hundred,” Yang Yuanzi answered honestly.

“Very well,” Qin Yi handed over another banknote for a hundred taels.

“How soon can our identities be arranged?”

“At least seven days. In the meantime, you may stay at the sect, or at the inn in the town below,” Yang Yuanzi offered.

“We’ll stay here. That way I can learn scholarly techniques from you each day, Uncle-Master!” Qin Yi replied. The inn was expensive, after all, and with three hundred taels just spent, he had a little over two hundred left.

“That’s fine.”

Soon after, father and son were settled in two adjoining guest rooms.

The next day.

Inside a quiet chamber.

“Qin Feng, are you sure you want to learn scholarly techniques?” Yang Yuanzi asked again.

“Yes.”

Receiving Qin Yi’s confirmation, Yang Yuanzi, though still puzzled, asked no further. He simply wanted to see them off quickly.

“Since you wish to learn, I will teach you.”