Although Xie An had never met Old Master Tang, he knew that Old Master Tang was over a hundred years old. Among the four people in the pavilion, the old man fishing was the oldest.
The other three people looked to be in their thirties to fifties.
Moreover, these three people had previously disguised themselves as a farmer, a fisherman, and a blacksmith... which certainly didn't fit the demeanor of an extraordinary person like Old Master Tang.
Having made an assessment in his mind, Xie An slowly walked to the outside of the pavilion, not entering it, but instead cupping his fist and bowing from afar to the old man, "Junior Xie An greets Old Master Tang!"
The white-haired old man sat upright on a low stool, focused on fishing, and did not respond.
Xie An also maintained a slightly bowed posture.
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment.
Just then, the farmer from before walked over and helped Xie An up, "Brother likes to fish, and when he's fishing, he ignores everyone, even if I come to find him. Little Xie, don't take it to heart, come in and sit down."
Xie An thanked him and then followed the farmer into the pavilion, sitting down at the stone table. The farmer then went to the woodshed not far away to fetch a stove, and instructed, "Qiutang, Donghai, don't just stand there, Little Xie is new here, we should be a little more welcoming. Go get some snacks and tea leaves. Make a cup of tea for Little Xie."
"We'll listen to Second Brother."
"Second Brother is always so particular."
Then, the three strong men each busied themselves in the courtyard.
Soon, a stove, kettle, tea leaves, and snacks were brought into the pavilion. Although it wasn't lavish, it was indeed very simple. Xie An looked on in a daze.
Mainly because... Xie An had seen all three of these people before.
The farmer who could turn a puff of smoke into a gale.
The fisherman who could stir the water with a scull and send it dozens of meters, shaking the carriage incessantly.
The blacksmith who could make an ear-piercing sound with a hammer, which was understandable, but to cause a shockwave was terrifying.
With Xie An's current knowledge, he naturally knew that these three people were all extraordinary people, or martial arts experts. At least far surpassing Yu He, perhaps having broken through the five basic levels and entered the realm of Inner Strength Martial Master.
Inner Strength Martial Master!
A level Xie An dared not imagine, said to be able to release inner strength externally, killing people from ten steps away. Such miraculous methods were unpredictable. Certainly not something Xie An could imagine at his current level.
Recalling the methods of these three people before, Xie An felt... they might be martial masters.
Just as Xie An was pondering in his heart, the three had already gathered around. The farmer poured a cup of tea for Xie An and said with a smile, "Little Xie, don't panic, we are not outsiders. Let me introduce you. My name is Long Xia, and because I'm a few years older, everyone gives me face and calls me Second Brother."
Farmer... Long Xia.
Xie An matched the information in his mind to strengthen his memory.
At this time, Long Xia pointed to the blacksmith from before, "This is Yi Qiutang, sixty years old, a famous blacksmith master, who helped the Tai'a Dao Academy in Nanyang Prefecture forge swords in his early years. He's a few years younger than me, the Third Brother."
Blacksmith, Yi Qiutang, forged swords for the Tai'a Dao Academy...
He seems to have a big background.
The Tai'a Dao Academy is the Daoist academy in Nanyang Prefecture. If the Nanyang Prefecture government is compared to the highest government institution, then the Tai'a Dao Academy is equivalent to the martial arts leader of Nanyang Prefecture, training talents for the imperial court, and at the same time suppressing the martial artists of the region, to prevent many martial artists from causing chaos.
The so-called 'knights use martial arts to violate the law,' the imperial court respects Daoism as the state religion. Naturally, it also guards against this.
Finally, Long Xia pointed to the fisherman, "This is Chen Donghai, fifty-three years old, born a fisherman, good at swimming, and the martial arts he practices are also water-based. He once served as a chiliarch in the Nanyang Prefecture navy. The youngest, the Fourth Brother."
Xie An felt a chill down his spine as he listened.
Each of them had a significant background.
Immediately, Xie An stood up and greeted them one by one, "I am Xie An, greetings to Brother Long, Brother Yi, and Brother Chen."
He had thought that this trip to the Tang Family Fort would be a one-on-one meeting between Xie An and Old Master Tang, testing his Qi sensation or something. Unexpectedly... this situation greatly exceeded Xie An's expectations.
Suddenly there were three more brothers... each of them very old. Chen Donghai, the Fourth Brother, was already fifty-three... two years older than himself.
An old man's club?
Although the three old men were old, they didn't look that old. Their skin didn't have obvious wrinkles, and they looked only in their forties. Even Long Xia, the oldest, didn't look over fifty.
Long Xia smiled and said, "Actually, this was all Fourth Brother's bad idea. As early as around the Laba Festival, we received a letter from Big Brother, saying that Big Brother had found a good seedling who had cultivated Qi sensation. The three of us rushed back from other places non-stop. Just to see the good seedling Big Brother was talking about. Fourth Brother was anxious, saying that Qingwu County couldn't possibly have such a seedling, and he was afraid that Big Brother was mistaken, so he clamored for us to intercept and take a look on the road..."
Speaking of this, Long Xia smiled awkwardly, then glared at Chen Donghai, "Fourth Brother, I told you long ago that you were being superfluous. Little Xie is a talented person."
Chen Donghai coughed lightly, concealing his embarrassment, "Second Brother, why are you revealing even such private matters? You don't even know how to save face for others, it's no fun anymore."
As soon as these words came out, Yi Qiutang and Long Xia laughed non-stop. Xie An was also infected and couldn't help but laugh.
The sense of unfamiliarity between them was also greatly reduced.
Seeing that Old Master Tang was still immersed in fishing, and guessing that he would need to fish for a long time, Xie An asked if the three brothers had practiced the Nourishing Life Technique.
Hahaha.
Long Xia said with a hearty laugh, "Little Xie, look at my appearance, how old do I look?"
Xie An told the truth, "Forty-seven or forty-eight."
Long Xia's smile became even brighter, "I won't hide it from you, I'm already ninety years old. It's because I met Big Brother when I was twenty years old. I got Big Brother's Nourishing Life Technique, and after seventy years of hard work and persistence, I have this appearance. Otherwise, if I had only practiced martial arts, I'm afraid I would have been old and frail, or even no longer in this world."
Persisting in practicing the Nourishing Life Technique for seventy years!
This really shocked Xie An.
What great perseverance and willpower that took.
Long Xia also introduced, "Third Brother Yi Qiutang also met Big Brother when he was young and has persisted in practicing the Nourishing Life Technique for more than forty years. Fourth Brother Chen Donghai has also persisted in practicing the Nourishing Life Technique for more than thirty years."
Xie An was silent.
The Nourishing Life Technique is different from martial arts, it doesn't achieve much, but it can prolong life, it's a more profound path. Although Xie An knew that in this chaotic world, without practicing martial arts, one would have no ability to protect oneself.
But Xie An was more interested in the Nourishing Life Technique. It was the method of prolonging life, the way of long life and lasting vision.
Practicing martial arts was somewhat forced, or for defense.
Looking at the three old men in front of him, Xie An had a feeling of having found resonance.
In this day and age, people who would persist in practicing the Nourishing Life Technique were too rare!
Most people are in a hurry to pursue martial arts, and then compete for fame and wealth, riches and honors, or kill in all directions, and establish achievements. But very few people can calm down and practice the uneventful Nourishing Life Technique.
If Xie An were a few decades younger, and hadn't experienced the fear of growing old and dying, he would probably follow the crowd, practice martial arts, and become famous in the world.
Thinking of this, Xie An admired the three people in front of him.
"The three brothers have guarded the Nourishing Life Technique all their lives, which is admirable."
Long Xia waved his hand and said, "When I was young, I didn't think much of the Nourishing Life Technique either. It was all Big Brother's strict discipline that made me grit my teeth and persevere. Later, when I got older, I gradually felt the benefits of the Nourishing Life Technique. On the contrary, I became more and more grateful for Big Brother's strict teaching back then. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would no longer be in this world.
However, the Nourishing Life Technique only prolongs life, and ultimately it doesn't change fate. Therefore, martial arts cannot be neglected either. Little Xie, how many years have you been practicing the Nourishing Life Technique?"
Xie An was afraid that telling the truth would scare people, so he concealed it a bit, "Off and on, it's been twenty or thirty years."
Long Xia nodded and said, "To cultivate Qi sensation in only twenty or thirty years is truly remarkable."
Yi Qiutang and Chen Donghai, who were beside him, also nodded in agreement.
Just then, a hearty voice came from outside the pavilion—
"Haha, the fish is hooked!"
Tang Family Patriarch abruptly lifted the fishing rod, a large red koi carp hanging on the hook. After raising the hook, he held the koi in his hand, his face full of smiles.
Long Xia and the other two immediately stood up to greet him.
"Congratulations, Brother, the koi is hooked, a good omen."
"And it's a red koi, doubling the good omen."
"The person has arrived, and the koi has come, a double blessing."
"Hahaha, my three virtuous brothers are right!" Tang Zhengyang threw the koi into the fish basket, and Long Xia offered a towel for him to wipe his hands.
"Young Brother Xie An, I've kept you waiting. I haven't fished for years, and today I wanted to catch a koi. It really came true. Young Brother Xie is truly my lucky star!" Tang Zhengyang strode into the pavilion and spoke cordially.
Xie An hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "It's no trouble for me to wait a little longer. The koi that the old patriarch caught is a first-class auspicious event."
"Hahaha, sit down and talk."
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Tang Zhengyang took the lead in sitting down, and only then did the others dare to follow suit.
Long Xia took the initiative to offer Tang Zhengyang hot tea. After Tang Zhengyang took a sip and exchanged pleasantries with Xie An, he said, "Young Brother Xie, I've troubled you to come over during the New Year, not only because you have cultivated Qi, but also because I wanted you to meet my virtuous brothers. Let's get to know each other…"
Tang Zhengyang was very kind to Xie An, without any airs. He gave people a sense of open-mindedness and didn't treat Xie An as an outsider. He once again solemnly introduced the other three to Xie An.
Finally, Tang Zhengyang said, "There are few people who practice the art of longevity in this world, and… since my master passed away and my senior brother left, I, a lone man, have encountered many doubts on the path of longevity, which I cannot resolve myself. Fortunately, I met three virtuous brothers. We are all persistent in pursuing longevity, and each of us is a genius in the art of longevity. So, the four of us became sworn brothers, studying the art of longevity together, confirming each other, and sharing our knowledge. It has added some fun and made greater progress."
Xie An then understood.
Suddenly, he felt that… the road to longevity was too lonely and lonely. It was indeed difficult to make progress by groping alone, and it was also lonely. Having a few brothers… would be much better.
Xie An felt a bit envious in his heart.
"Although my three virtuous brothers and I have been studying the art of longevity for many years, we still cannot change our fate. Therefore, martial arts cannot be neglected. Some people seek the method of longevity in the art of longevity, and others seek the art of increasing life in martial arts. Each has its own benefits, and there is still no conclusion," Tang Zhengyang said slowly. "Everyone is exploring, originally Master was an expert in this field… but it's a pity. Forget it, forget it, let's not mention the past… Come, drink tea."
Then, everyone drank tea and chatted.
Although there was laughter and talk… Xie An felt that the scene was awkward.
Everyone obviously had something to say, but seemed to have some concerns.
Having lived for most of his life, Xie An still had this bit of insight.
Xie An felt that someone needed to break the deadlock.
Sure enough, Chen Donghai, the youngest, suddenly coughed twice and said, "Brother, we've drunk five rounds of tea. Let's get down to business earlier, I'm in a hurry to eat New Year's Eve dinner."
Hiss…
The scene was suffocating for a moment.
Then, Tang Zhengyang laughed loudly, "Hahaha, good, good, good, Fourth Brother is still the most direct. Then let's follow Fourth Brother's suggestion."
After speaking, Tang Zhengyang's expression became serious, and he looked Xie An up and down, "Brother Xie, can I take your pulse and check the heat in your body?"
Xie An knew it was coming and suppressed his excitement, "I am willing to listen to the old patriarch's instructions."
Tang Zhengyang nodded; "Extend your right hand."
Xie An stretched out his right hand, and Tang Zhengyang placed his hand on Xie An's wrist, holding his pulse. Suddenly, an extremely thick heat flowed from the pores of his skin into Xie An's body, traveling through Xie An's limbs and bones, heading straight for the middle dantian in Xie An's chest.
Crimson Palace!
Immediately, Tang Zhengyang's heat met Xie An's Crimson Palace Qi, and a violent impact occurred between the two, causing Xie An's body to be extremely uncomfortable, as if it was about to explode. Tang Zhengyang's face also turned a little pale, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his eyes widened a lot.
This expression caused the other three to be very surprised, staring at Xie An.
Buzz.
When Tang Zhengyang withdrew his hand, the stone table suddenly shattered into powder.
Xie An quickly felt the heat in his body, fortunately, he was fine. It seemed that Tang Family Patriarch was just checking.
"Good!"
Tang Zhengyang was overjoyed, "The last time I saw your Qi, it only had a little bit of heat, but I didn't expect that in less than a month, you have actually tempered the Crimson Palace Qi. It's really comparable to ten years of others' work. Brother Xie, you are truly a genius in the art of longevity."
The other three brothers were also greatly shocked upon hearing this.
"What? He cultivated the Crimson Palace Qi in only a month?"
"After I cultivated Qi, it took me a full twelve years to cultivate the Crimson Palace Qi."
"Wow… Brother, you have discovered a treasure."
Xie An had long known the power of the Longevity Fate and was not surprised.
Tang Zhengyang no longer had the smiling expression he had before, but became extremely serious, "Xie An, my Tang Family Fortress has a unique skill that I have always wanted to find an inheritor for in Qingwu County. On the one hand, it is to continue the master's unique skill, and on the other hand, it is to have someone who can protect my Tang family descendants after my death.
Your talent in the art of longevity exceeds my estimation. You can give it a try. But I need you to swear an oath."
Xie An cupped his hands and said, "Please tell me clearly, old patriarch."
Tang Zhengyang said, "You must swear: First, whether you succeed in cultivation or not, you must do your best to protect the Tang family descendants after my death. Second, if you succeed in cultivation, and someone among the Tang family descendants cultivates Qi, you must selflessly pass on this skill to the Tang family descendants."
Xie An thought it would be a difficult oath, but… it was so simple.
This is too simple.
Suddenly, Xie An's eyes towards Tang Zhengyang changed.
A thousand-mile horse meets Bole.
Swish.
Xie An cupped his hands and bowed deeply, "Even if the old patriarch didn't say it, this is also my duty, Xie An."
"Good. Follow me to the ancestral hall. Second Brother, prepare incense, paper, and inkpad."
…
Behind the main hall, there is a small courtyard, which is the Tang family's ancestral hall.
In the ancestral hall.
Offerings and incense burners were placed on the incense table, and the Tang family's memorial tablet was also placed on it.
Tang Zhengyang took the lead in offering incense, and Long Xia, Yi Qiutang, and Chen Donghai offered incense one after another. Then, Long Xia wrote down the handwritten oath and handed it to Xie An for signing.
After signing, Tang Family Patriarch lit three sticks of incense and solemnly handed them to Xie An, "Xie An, you have cultivated the Crimson Palace Qi. My opportunity is not enough, and I am not enough to bear your fate, so I will not accept you as a disciple. You can call me Big Brother. Offer incense to the Tang family's ancestors and swear an oath in front of the ancestors' memorial tablets. I will naturally impart everything I have learned."
"Yes."
Xie An took the three sticks of incense, bowed to the memorial tablets of the Tang family's ancestors, and said word by word: "Junior Xie An, today, in front of the spirits of the Tang family's ancestors, I swear:
First, after Tang Family Patriarch passes on the Tang family's unique skill to me, whether I succeed in cultivation or not. I, Xie An, will definitely do my best to protect the Tang family descendants.
Second, if I am lucky enough to master the unique skill, and someone among the Tang family descendants cultivates Qi, I will definitely selflessly pass on the skill to the Tang family descendants and teach them everything I know.
If I violate this oath, may I, Xie An, be struck by five thunderbolts and pierced by ten thousand arrows!"
After saying that, Xie An bowed three times before solemnly inserting the incense sticks into the incense burner.
"Good!"
Tang Zhengyang stepped forward to help Xie An up, and then, in front of everyone, took out a yellowed ancient book from his arms and handed it to Xie An with both hands, "This is the unique skill that my master Li Changchun passed on to me. Now, the torch is passed on, and I will hand it over to you."
Xie An glanced sideways, and three conspicuous characters were written on the cover:
Bright Jade Skill!
