Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 428 The Day (Part 1)

"The gap is huge, much bigger than you imagine." Hu Ping replied seriously: "The transition from martial artist to martial master is a threshold; only one in a hundred can succeed."

However, among martial artists, only one in a thousand can reach the threshold of becoming a grandmaster while still of a reasonable age. And those who can break through that threshold... are one in ten thousand...

A grandmaster is someone who has reached the deepest level of understanding of a particular martial art, achieving the level of innovation, creating their own martial arts, and establishing their own school.

You need to understand that there is a fundamental difference between a martial arts master and a grandmaster. This difference refers to the difference in strength.

Even if a martial artist cultivates martial arts to the limit and trains himself to the highest level, he is still only capable of using internal strength.

Even the weakest Grandmaster has already achieved a further sublimation of their power, which is called True Strength.

For a martial artist to challenge a grandmaster is as ridiculous as an ordinary person trying to burn demons and monsters with a stick of firewood. No matter how many martial artists there are, they will only make the grandmaster expend more effort.

"Strength? True strength? What's the difference between the two, and how are they classified?" Han Yi pondered for a moment before asking.

He knew the difference between a grandmaster and a martial arts master before, but he didn't expect it to be this big.

After becoming a grandmaster, the power within the body undergoes a transformation, which is called true qi or true strength.

They mean the same thing, just have different names.

“There are no specific standards here, we can only make a simple distinction.” Hu Ping shook his head and said, “For example, the internal energy that we martial artists cultivate is like the internal fire in our organs, invisible and intangible, ethereal and elusive.”

So what grandmasters cultivate is the Samadhi True Fire, a legendary fire only recorded in myths and legends. It not only has a tangible form but can also manifest itself in a tangible way, its power far exceeding ordinary people's imagination—that's the difference.

Han Yi nodded, roughly understanding Hu Ping's analogy. It was actually quite simple: power with a substantial material existence would inevitably be more powerful than intangible and colorless force like jinli.

"By the way, how far are you from becoming a grandmaster?" he suddenly asked.

"Me?...the gap is still..." Hu Ping frowned. "Are you trying to trick me?"

"No, just curious, nothing more." Han Yi smiled, quickly took out a small box from his feet, and changed the subject, "I found you something good, take it."

Hu Ping took it; it was a square, black box, unassuming yet quite exquisite. Inside, lined with yellow cloth, lay a creamy-yellow jade pendant.

The finest jade exudes a faint glow and feels warm and smooth to the touch, like a comforting pillow.

"Not bad!" Hu Ping carefully picked it up and examined it closely. "From the last dynasty? Judging from the jade quality and patina, it should be several hundred years old."

"That's good. I knew you liked this kind of thing, so I specially saved it for you," Han Yi said with a smile.

Sharing common interests was another important reason why he and Hu Ping could get along so well.

However, he collects antiques and curios in order to find yin energy.

Hu Ping, however, genuinely and truly has this hobby.

Regardless, this shared hobby made them feel compatible and gave them another common topic of conversation.

"At least you still have some conscience." Hu Ping nodded in satisfaction. He took out a small blue porcelain bottle from his pocket and tossed it over. "These are ten specially made poison pills with added ingredients, made according to your request last time. They can be stored for six months."

When storing, be sure to place it in a well-ventilated, cool place, away from direct sunlight.

He gave a few final words of advice.

"Okay." Han Yi quickly put it in his pouch. "Consider it a favor I owe you. This antique isn't as valuable as the poison that Young Master Hu personally concocted."

"Alright, stop pretending." Hu Ping stood up. "I don't care why you need these highly toxic substances, but if you're going to do something shady... I don't know you!"

"Don't worry," Han Yi reassured him, "I'm using this for myself."

"For yourself? Do you think I'm stupid?" Hu Ping rolled his eyes. "Going through all this trouble to concoct poison just to poison yourself to death?"

Han Yi smiled without saying a word, offering no further explanation.

"Alright, it's getting late, I'll be going now." Hu Ping glanced at the timer on the first floor of the restaurant.

A cacophony of noise and chatter could be heard from the first floor of the restaurant.

A songstress was playing the pipa, and in front of her was a silver plate, waiting for various gold and silver notes as tips.

Some martial artists ate large chunks of meat, drank heavily, and boasted incessantly.

At the entrance of the restaurant, caravans were coming and going, holding up signs that read, "The Lu Family Salt Company in Taizhou is recruiting martial arts instructors. The round-trip reward is 100 gold coins, half of which can be paid in advance."

"Ah, I really envy... freedom..." he sighed.

"Brother Hu, are you interested in staying here?" Han Yi stood next to Hu Ping and casually asked, "I can arrange for you to stay in a courtyard in Jingming Town, what do you think?" "Great, then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Han." Hu Ping smiled slightly.

"Huh?" Han Yi was taken aback. He had only said it casually, just as a polite remark...

"Alright, you think you're the only one with thick skin...?" Taking advantage of this moment, Hu Ping stepped forward and disappeared.

"No, I meant it sincerely..." Han Yi watched Hu Ping's figure disappear into the distance on the street, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Now that he's the regional inspector, getting a courtyard house would be a piece of cake for him...

Let alone one set, even ten or eight sets wouldn't be a big deal.

"Ahem..."

Suddenly, he heard a soft cough.

Han Yi turned around and saw several people following behind the old waiter of "Qingfeng Restaurant," staring at him with unfriendly expressions. Only then did he realize what was going on.

It's likely that the restaurant staff saw Hu Ping leave through the window and were afraid he would also skip out on the bill.

After all, for a martial arts master, a mere two-story height is nothing; even if they do nothing, jumping off wouldn't cause them any injury...

"Alright, alright, I'll pay the bill." Han Yi shook his head.

Hu Ping, I haven't seen him for a few days, and his skin has definitely gotten thicker...

......

......

"Come on, the incense burner is crooked here, move it a little to the left... Okay, right, right, put up the picture of good fortune..."

Early in the morning, Yang Du, the chief steward of the Inspectorate, directed his servants to get busy.

This is a unique festival in Qiyun Mountain, called the "Mountain Hunting Festival," which is usually held before the end of the year. Most of the people in the Qiyun Mountain area used to be hunters who made a living by hunting wild animals and monsters in Qiyun Mountain.

The Mountain Chasing Festival is a way to pray for a bountiful harvest of game in the mountains in the coming year and to avoid danger.

Although most people no longer go into the mountains to hunt and have changed their occupation to work in the mines for a living, this festival has been passed down and continues to be held.

Nowadays, the festival has become purely about ancestor worship and bringing good fortune.

Of course, wealthy families might have more elaborate customs, but it would just be about grander displays and more elaborate etiquette.

For ordinary people, the most direct feeling is that they have free time, can take a break, and go out to buy and sell goods.

According to regulations, starting from the "Mountain-Catching Festival", various operations in the Qiyun Mountain area gradually ceased, with only a few people taking turns on duty.

This is also a rare holiday time for ordinary people throughout the year. Everyone takes out the money they have saved up throughout the year and goes to the market to buy New Year's goods and various necessities for the New Year.

Of course, this is also the happiest time for children.

Everyday, there are all sorts of unusual little gadgets, like brightly colored candies, or tiny, delicate figurines that move at the touch of a switch...

These are things that parents and elders will only be willing to spend money to buy a few of around this time of year, just before the Lunar New Year.

Han Yi stood at the entrance of the mansion, smiling as he watched Yang Du and his entourage bustling about.

The streets were bustling with traffic and people, with vendors constantly calling out their wares, and the aromas of honey, sweets, and meats wafting in the air.

The bustling crowd brought a touch of spring to the biting cold wind.

For some reason, Han Yi felt exceptionally relaxed watching this scene, and everything seemed much more pleasing to the eye. Perhaps it was because of the holiday; after all, everyone was on holiday, and his duties as the inspector were much lighter.

"Master Han, it's your turn." Yang Du respectfully handed a thick incense stick used in sacrificial rites to Han Yi.

Han Yi took it casually and placed it neatly into the heavy, huge incense burner with a brass-colored luster.

Immediately, he picked up the tinder stuck to the side and gently rubbed it on the tip of the incense.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Time passed slowly, and everyone around held their breath, barely daring to make a sound.

A moment later, thin white smoke, about the thickness of chopsticks, floated up from the center of the incense burner.

The white tobacco shreds rose straight up to the blue sky, perfectly aligned, and a faint, refreshing fragrance filled the air, soothing the soul.

This is a unique custom of the "Mountain-Catching Festival". The incense is burned during the sacrifice and held outdoors. The straighter and longer the smoke rises, the better the sacrifice is performed and the more the ancestors protect the person.

Of course, Han Yi knew that the incense used in these sacrifices was made of special materials that could not be dispersed by the wind or extinguished by the rain, so it would be strange if the effect was not good.

"Very good, very good! Next year will surely bring favorable weather and abundant harvests..."

"Excellent, excellent. It's all thanks to Inspector Han's youthful talent and effective governance..."

Some people around him took the opportunity to step forward and flatter Han Yi.

Upon closer inspection, everyone recognized him as none other than Qu Qiao from Xuanwu Hall.

Zhu Haishan and Luo Meiwei stood aside, inwardly cursing.

This guy may seem honest on the surface, but in reality, he's a real schemer.

After the incense stick burned out, it meant that the year's work had come to an end and the "Mountain Climbing Festival" had officially begun. This also meant that from today onwards, the holiday break officially began. Han Yi then spoke, said a few polite words, summarized the year's gains and losses, and made a budget plan for next year before dismissing everyone.

Before leaving, the three hall masters inevitably came over to invite him to dinner and drinks.

Han Yi resolutely refused. What a joke! He finally had some free time to relax and have some peace and quiet. Why not use that time to cultivate instead of doing something useless?

He had been serving as the inspector for about half a year, and everyone was basically familiar with his way of dealing with people. Seeing that they couldn't persuade him, they dispersed.

Only after returning to the inner courtyard of the Inspectorate did he have time to deal with his own affairs.