The night wandering yin soul cautiously squeezed out through the door crack, and upon reaching the front of the hall, it was swept up by the night wind and flew entirely into the air...
Like dust settling in the sky, like a fisherman caught in a whirlpool.
However, Song Cheng soon found his balance, landed in an instant, and then rose with the wind again, leaping several times before stopping on the roof of a high pavilion, then looking around.
He didn't know if he could meet other night wandering yin souls in the county city.
Therefore, Song Cheng became even more cautious.
Fortunately, with the ability to "see data through walls," he didn't need to enter someone else's house to see the data.
On a spring night, the chill was just right for the drunken spirits by the roadside.
But for the yin soul, it was still like an ice river.
If he didn't return to his body to warm up for a long time, he might disperse.
A strong body could only match a strong soul.
The yin soul swiftly traveled at night, rapidly exploring the area where the Ruyi Commerce Chamber was located along the route Song Cheng had previously planned in his mind.
The Ruyi Commerce Chamber was located in the east of Shanghe County.
And within the time of half an hour, Song Cheng barely managed to take a quick tour of this area.
Lines of data entered his eyes.
0~0
1~1
0~0
7~7
12~12
1~1
...
...
...
Seeing that the remaining time was not much, Song Cheng hurried back to his body.
As the divine soul returned to the body, immediately a feeling of having just jumped into an ice river to swim surged forth.
"Cold, so cold."
He turned around and hugged Young Mrs. Tong.
Startled, Young Mrs. Tong's delicate body jerked, her teeth chattering due to the cold. She lightly raised her knee, nudged her man as a symbolic display of annoyance, and then still hugged him tightly, her small foot twisted and clinging to his calf to warm him.
Song Cheng sorted through his thoughts.
In the east district of the county city, most people were between 0~3.
Then there were those from 3~13. There weren't many of these people, but they formed clusters, and Ding Kui, along with many guards from the Ruyi Commerce Chamber, belonged to this category. Besides them, there were also some such people in other households. This should be the Power Realm. According to his panel, it was Yellow Level Grade D.
As for the highest data, it was 25~25. This ought to be the Force Realm, Yellow Level Grade C, just like him.
These were all data without using weapons.
And he, without the use of weapons, had data of 35~35.
The most crucial point was that along the way, he did not see any other night wandering yin souls.
Perhaps the "Visualization Method" wasn't a common one.
All this observation gave him a bit of security.
At least in the absence of a sneak attack, it wouldn't matter whom he faced.
"How was it?" Young Mrs. Tong asked.
Song Cheng replied: "Not finished, but it's still safe for now."
Holding his face, Young Mrs. Tong said: "Don't wear yourself out."
Song Cheng said: "We still have to think of a way to go to the Prefectural City. The Ruyi Commerce Chamber has a background in the prefectural city, and the reason it stops here is that it's an important canal crossing node. Those in charge of the commerce chamber naturally need to fight for canal usage rights here."
"Why go to the Prefectural City?" Young Mrs. Tong asked curiously.
Song Cheng then remembered that there were some things he hadn't told her yet, so he said softly: "From that lonely ghost's memory, I learned a piece of information.
That information told me that the soil we stand upon could possibly be... nothing more than a cold kingdom of the dead.
Only in places with many people can the yang qi of humans fill the yin qi, preventing any incidents.
So, we need to go to prosperous places."
After the incident with the "Extreme Joy World," Song Cheng was determined never to wander aimlessly in the wilderness again.
He was determined to implement his plan—to go to the big cities with more people.
Young Mrs. Tong said quietly: "Are you still an ordinary disciple of the gang?"
Song Cheng said: "Maybe it's not an ordinary gang."
The air went quiet.
The peace was somewhat awkward.
Young Mrs. Tong bit his lip hard, then let go.
"What are you doing?"
"Just wanted to bite this mouth that doesn't tell the truth."
"That... that lonely ghost might be a celestial omen officer of some Imperial City, so he knows a bit."
"Get lost."
Young Mrs. Tong buried her head in his embrace.
Though she said "get lost," neither of them moved.
...
The next day, evening.
The two went shopping. Here was expensive, and there was expensive, so they didn't have the heart to buy anything. Finally, they stopped at a little restaurant that didn't seem expensive, cheerfully eating something nice.
After eating, Song Cheng took her to a fabric store named "Five-Colored Embroidery," gritted his teeth, wanting to buy two nice silk robes.
After all, the weather was getting warmer, and padded clothes were no longer suitable.
And being part of the Ruyi Commerce Chamber, the clothes naturally needed to be better, otherwise even stepping out required courage.
But then, upon seeing the price of the silk robes, they were taken aback.
Dear me, a woman's silk robe, of average craftsmanship, was 6 taels.
A silk skirt, 7 taels.
The young shop assistant looked at them, not intending to introduce his products, but rather enthusiastically greeting the customers who arrived after them.
Young Mrs. Tong fixed her eyes on a men's lacquer-colored cloud-patterned silk robe and called out: "Assistant, let us try this robe."
The young assistant approached, took it down for her.
Young Mrs. Tong handed it to Song Cheng to try, saying: "You are the face of our house, cannot look shabby."
Song Cheng tried it on, just the right fit.
Seeing the price, 8 taels of silver.
Young Mrs. Tong wanted to pay, but Song Cheng pulled her away.
The young assistant silently put away the robe, without glancing at the leaving couple.
To him, they seemed like invisible people, coming silently, going silently.
Out the door, Young Mrs. Tong didn't bring up the matter of the clothes, after all, discussing it would hurt their self-esteem. From when her mother was alive, whenever there was a complaint about her father earning less, her father was always quite upset. Hence, she simply changed the subject directly, "I just saw over there they're selling steamed buns wrapped with spiced fatty meat, five coins for two. Let's hurry!"
Soon, the two were excitedly eating steamed buns.
For people who typically ate coarse grain noodles and meat of wolves and fish without salt, these meat-filled steamed buns were simply delicacies from mountains and seas.
On the rare trip out, apart from eating, apart from buying some little things such as "small comb, insect ant food, lamp grass, cheap rouge, cheap incense," they didn't spend any big money.
Song Cheng felt an inexplicable twinge of loss.
So poor...
Young Mrs. Tong pinched his hand, softly saying: "We'll take it slow."
Song Cheng smiled.
Even so, after returning that night, the two were still quite joyful.
Discussing the taste of the meat in the restaurant, the flavor of the meat-filled steamed buns.
Then, Young Mrs. Tong excitedly allowed Song Cheng to happily do some farming.
Song Cheng rested briefly and then took a look at the south district of the county city.
There were some small gangs in the south district. Martial artists who had entered the realm were significantly more than in the east district, and the strongest was a 30~30 data, nearly similar to him.
But likewise, he still didn't encounter any night wandering yin souls.
...
The next day, the two went to a low-priced clothing shop, spending a total of 900 wen, buying two well-fitted new cotton robes.
Then, during the day, Young Mrs. Tong practiced her knife.
In the afternoon, Song Cheng was met by Ling, the close maid of the young lady, and was led to the main hall of the commerce chamber.
An Chenyu was dignified, coldly alluring, unapproachable, slightly crossing her legs, reviewing some account books, her brows perpetually furrowed, seemingly with numerous vexations she couldn't untangle.
"Miss, Song Cheng is here."
"Hmm."
Only then did An Chenyu set aside the account book, looking at Song Cheng, exchanging some pleasantries, and then directly saying: "Song, the technique you practice should be the light and nimble path. Our chamber has a Force Realm technique, also a light and nimble path. Though it's a common technique, it's not bad. You should try it.
After you reach Entry Level in a month, I'll formally explain to the elders in my family, then hold a banquet to accept you as an adoptive younger brother. Henceforth, our bond as siblings will be deep, sharing hardships and joys together, how does that sound?"
Song Cheng understood immediately.
This was a test of potential, also an explanation for the family elders.
Currently, the power he displayed reached a Great Achievement in the Power Realm, capable of continuing to cultivate the next level of technique.
And "Entry Level in a month," was the talent standard An Chenyu set for him.
"Okay, Sister An," Song Cheng replied.
An Chenyu didn't elaborate, clapping her hands as she said: "Ling, have the kitchen prepare more meat for Little Song to eat every day during these few days."
"Yes, Miss."
The close maid answered, then led Song Cheng to the backyard, saying while walking: "Can you make it?"
Song Cheng said: "Let's give it a try."
Ling said: "In a few days, our chamber's chief guard, Shi Yi, will return from delivering cargo. Mr. Shi is truly a master, just a step away from the Form Realm, only lacking a technique.
By then, I'll put in a word, and you can ask him if you don't understand something."
Song Cheng said: "Doesn't our chamber have Form Realm techniques?"
Ling said: "Don't aim too high, talk about it when you've reached the Force Realm."
After saying that, she added: "Let me tell you, usually only guards with merits can consult the techniques. Now, due to special circumstances, you're getting a bargain."
Song Cheng asked curiously: "What special circumstances?"
Ling said: "You only need to know that you should achieve Entry Level with the technique within a month."
Song Cheng said: "What if I reach Entry Level in half a month, then what?"
Ling let out a "hehe" laugh without giving a direct answer: "All you need to know is the faster, the better."
Leading him into the Scripture Room, she let Song Cheng in, took out a technique from the depths of the room, handed it to him, and said: "You can only read it inside, but you may practice in the courtyard."
Song Cheng took the text, quickly leafed through it, only to find most of the words unrecognizable, so he asked Ling for guidance.
Though annoyed, Ling patiently read it to him one by one.
After reading it twice, fearing further inconvenience, Ling promptly ran off.
No matter, though.
Song Cheng's status display had already changed:
[Technique]
Willow Brushing Force (Yellow Level Grade C) (0/4) (Uninitiated)
A line of information appeared:
The rock from another mountain can carve jade, being well-informed grants a chance to advance further.
Upon perusing "Willow Brushing Force," "Xuanwu Force" has a 2‰ probability of deducing a "Yellow Level Grade B" technique.
'Hmm? Indeed, the probability has doubled.'
'If I practice with a master, the chances of deduction can increase further.'