Immortality Path: From the Blind Man at the Pharmacy-Chapter 55 - 54. The Essence of Trickery Technique

Chapter 55: 54. The Essence of Trickery Technique

Chapter 55: 54. The Essence of Trickery Technique

Song Cheng climbed onto the roof, his footsteps causing the tiles to rustle. Though the two women in the courtyard were practicing their swordplay, they glanced up and happened to see him release a sparrow.

The youth’s concealed black belt and unkempt black hair danced in the wind, like scorching black flames, while his once pale complexion only accentuated the delicacy of his features.

Song Cheng’s growing vitality did not bring about any physical changes.

He remained as slender as ever—perhaps mere taking off his clothes would reveal a physique tightly packed with explosive power.

Strength, force, and form were all internal matters. Though they might reflect in a change of physique, it wasn’t inevitable.

Bigger wasn’t necessarily stronger.

At least, that’s how Song Cheng felt.

His experiences before crossing over offered some evidence. Was a “water drop” big? No, but it contained enough force to destroy massive battleships. Was a “two-dimensional foil” big? No, but a single sheet could annihilate galaxies.

Song Cheng lay back lazily on the roof.

In the world of Heart’s Eye, only black and white remained.

Observing carefully, the sunlight shooting down from the sky turned out to be wisps of white.

The earth, buildings, stones—all lifeless things, were black.

In the courtyard, the two women practicing swords were white.

Not far off, the fat sheep just slaughtered by the cook from the Ruyi Commerce Chamber was black.

He turned his head to look at his hands, white.

But he could feel his eyes, black… at least when using Trickery Technique, they were black.

The heavenly wind blew up endless ink, within which secretly flowed white luminance.

Such a vision, filled with mystery…

Calming his heart, Song Cheng realized for the first time that he might never have understood this “world he had long taken for granted.”

He lay quietly in this world, pondering the Ninefold Ghostly Tower.

The ninth level was the place for Out of Body Divine Soul.

The eighth level, however, was where one used trickery—Dark Heaven.

From his test with the sparrow, he roughly comprehended that “Dark Heaven” made the target “blind during the duration of the trickery” just like him.

If he was blind, then others followed suit.

How similar was this to “Reappear”?

Reappear was the evil spirit’s death scene reliving; participants unknowingly got swept into that scene, most likely experiencing the same death agony as the evil spirit, subsequently becoming its corresponding ghost servant.

This, Song Cheng could discern from “the testimony of the villagers who escaped Tang River Village and Nan Hui,” and recently from the human skin ghost servants attacking the city.

Previously, Nan Hui, along with the escaped villagers, explained Yune’s killing method: she would suddenly vanish, then become a floating corpse in the water.

Yune had drowned, so she made others drown too.

Similarly…

The name Human Skin Ghost, upon hearing it, should definitely suggest being skinned alive and dying with immense resentment.

It was skinned, so it made others skinned, turning them into its ghost servants.

This was “Reappear.”

This was also “Trickery.”

However, the scope of “Reappear” was vast, whereas his “Dark Heaven” was confined to a mere spot, only able to lock onto one target, and it was fundamentally impossible to create “ghost servants.”

Likewise, Yune’s power was a blood-red question mark, so his “trickery” was not counted as a measure of strength.

Thus deduced, if heaven and earth were divided into Yin and Yang, with Yin black and Yang white, the strength he could see resided only on the Yang side, ignoring the Yin soil.

…

…

Song Cheng continued assessing his own condition.

He raised his hand, touched his face, cold.

Then touched his arm, hot.

As if two completely different forces circulated separately within his body and head.

He reviewed his thoughts and mental state, simultaneously recalling the process of comprehending this “trickery.”

Suddenly, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Laughed joyfully.

“What are you laughing at?” Madam Tong, having finished her sword practice unnoticed, stood below watching him.

Song Cheng laughed because he realized, “To comprehend trickery, one needed not only Yin Qi but also powerful, twisted curse thoughts, a process of forcefully transforming oneself into an evil spirit.” But due to adding points, this process only flashed in his “memory” and caused him no adverse effects.

In other words, he… gained benefits while avoiding the cost.

Just like cultivating the “Xuanwu True Force” and “True Form of Xuanwu” techniques to Perfection, typically requiring vast resources, but… due to adding points, he bypassed all that.

“When the sun’s bright, my mood’s bright. When my mood’s bright, why wouldn’t I laugh?” Song Cheng responded.

Madam Tong blinked, wanting to grumble but said nothing, then pulling Ying aside for a rest, she quietly remarked, “Haven’t you noticed since Song Cheng wrapped his eyes in black cloth, he’s become… more debonair?”

Ying’s face was cold, as if a wooden puppet that couldn’t speak, only lightly nodding “mm.”

However, she felt that her brother-in-law had become somewhat more handsome, like a treasure sword emerging from its corroded scabbard.

Just then, Ling suddenly ran in from outside, her hands cupped like a megaphone, shouting, “Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, the Wang brothers and Gao Lin are seeking an audience.”

She approached as she spoke, muttering, “I guess they want to ask you about cultivation. After all, these past couple of days, Old Master Zhao from the Water Bird Martial Arts Hall looked radiant. When others asked, he didn’t hide it, only saying he’d received your guidance and his hall’s cultivation method had become more refined.”

Song Cheng leapt down and followed Ling outside.

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Barely leaving the courtyard gate, a bit further and he spotted three burly men waiting awkwardly.

Seeing Song Cheng, the trio hurriedly approached, each respectfully calling out, “Brother-in-law.”

Song Cheng straightforwardly said, “Brother Wang, Brother Gao, what’s the matter?”

The three fidgeted for a while, expressing their intention: to learn cultivation techniques.

That day, after being defeated by Song Cheng, they naturally wished to seek instruction. Subsequently hearing about Ying’s daily martial arts training in the courtyard, guided by her brother-in-law, their interest only grew. The recent news about Old Master Zhao’s situation prompted them to gather and discuss, eventually plucking up the courage to ask for guidance.

Extreme Force was an An Family secret but they were not seeking the complete technique, merely direction.

Song Cheng considered as he looked at the three and said, “I have two teaching methods. The first method is basic teaching, and the second method is complete instruction.”

The three were jubilant.

The elder of the Wang brothers, Wang Tianchuan, stepped forward to ask, “Brother-in-law, how could we gain complete instruction?”

Gao Lin eagerly added, “We’re willing to become disciples, showing due respect to brother-in-law, even providing for…”

The “support” didn’t come out, he forcefully swallowed it back.

Song Cheng said, “The canal matter, Miss has mentioned, right? It’s a concern for the entire chamber. So once the Ghost Tide is unsealed, Miss will seek ways to arrange people into the canal project.”

Wang Tianma patted his chest, saying, “No need for you to remind us. If Miss arranges it, we’ll do it. Our Wang family has been with the chamber for generations. A thriving chamber benefits us too. Doing work assigned by Miss and brother-in-law is a given, isn’t it?”

Unconsciously, he added “brother-in-law” to the mix…

Song Cheng thought and said, “Going to the canal project will surely disrupt cultivation. To compensate, I will fully teach the force method I’ve mastered.

This way, you won’t fall behind in your cultivation progress. Additionally, becoming stronger will enable you to better complete your tasks.

No need for formal discipleship. I’m younger than all three of you and unworthy of such a title.”

The trio had initially felt some nervousness, but upon hearing this, oh boy, it was essentially a free gift. Brother-in-law was genuinely a kind person.

“Brother-in-law.” Gao Lin stepped forward and said, “Concerning the canal matter, I’ll face any challenges willingly, and even without formal discipleship, I’ll regard you with the respect of a disciple.”

The Wang brothers quickly agreed.

“I’m in as well.”

“Same here.”

In Song Cheng’s view, the goodwill levels of the three rose from 75, 80, and 75 to 85, respectively.

And after he nodded, those 85s became 90.

“Once I discuss with Miss, you can find time to come and learn,” Song Cheng said.

Overflowing with gratitude, the three gave their bows and departed.

Song Cheng watched their simple white outlines receding, then gazed at the sky.

In this world, what was most important?

People.

Only with people could the Ghost Tide be repelled, preventing evil spirits from invading.

To gather people.

Reputation was the first step.

Cultivating existing people was also crucial.

Yet perhaps, his “Hide Six Reveal Four” might have hidden too little of his strength.

‘I must quickly comprehend the battle method of ‘True Form of Xuanwu,’ and seek ways to study more force methods to see if I can refine my ‘True Form of Xuanwu’ further.’

‘To others, cultivation techniques are incredibly valuable. To me, they’re just bricks for constructing a perfect technique.’

‘Even though I might generously give away a few bricks, the gain on my end would be far greater.’

‘While the Water Bird Martial Arts Hall’s and Extreme Force’s overlap offers me no use, there are other halls in the south of the city. I should explore and uncover something more.’