The Night Wandering Yin Soul cautiously squeezed through the crack in the door and, once it arrived at the hall, it flew up with the sweep of the night wind...
It was as if dust had settled in the sky, just as a fisherman is caught in a whirlpool.
However, Song Cheng quickly found his balance and descended, then took to the winds again. After several leaps, he stopped on the ridge of a tall pavilion's roof and began to look around vigilantly.
He didn't know if he would encounter any other Night Wandering Yin Souls in the county town.
Therefore, Song Cheng became even more cautious.
Luckily, with the ability to "observe data through walls," he didn't need to enter other people's houses to see their data.
On a spring night, the slight chill was just right for the drunken revelers by the roadside.
But for a Yin Soul, it was still like an icy river.
If it did not return to its body to warm up soon, its spirit might scatter and dissipate.
A strong body was necessary to harbor a strong soul.
The Yin Soul flew swiftly through the night, exploring the area where Ruyi Commerce Chamber was located, following the route that Song Cheng had strategically planned in his mind beforehand.
Ruyi Commerce Chamber was on the east side of Shanghe County.
In just under half a two-hour period, Song Cheng barely had enough time to hurriedly tour the area.
Rows of data entered his sight.
0~0
1~1
0~0
7~7
12~12
1~1
...
...
...
Seeing there wasn't much time left, Song Cheng quickly returned to his body.
As his divine soul merged back into his body, it immediately felt like diving into an icy river to swim.
"So cold, so cold."
He turned and embraced Young Mrs. Tong.
Young Mrs. Tong, startled by the sudden action, jolted, her body shivering from the cold. She lightly nudged her husband with her knee, giving a symbolic show of temper, but then still hugged him tightly. Her tiny feet awkwardly entwined around his calf to warm him.
Song Cheng organized his thoughts.
In the eastern district of the county town, most people were between 0 and 3.
Then there were those between 3 and 13. There were not many in this group, but they were clustered together. Ding Kui and many guards of Ruyi Commerce Chamber belonged to this group. Other households also had people in this range. This seemed to correspond to the Power Realm. According to his own panel, it was Grade D of the Yellow Level.
As for the highest data, it was 25~25. That must be the Force Realm, Grade C of the Yellow Level, the same as him.
All these data were for those unarmed.
And for him, without a weapon, his data was 35~35.
The most critical point was that along the way, he had not seen any other Night Wandering Yin Souls.
Perhaps the "Visualization Method" was not something commonly practiced.
These observations gave him a sense of security.
At least if he wasn't taken by surprise, he would be safe no matter whom he faced.
"How was it?" Young Mrs. Tong asked.
Song Cheng said, "I didn't get to see everything, but it's safe for now."
Young Mrs. Tong cradled his face and said, "Don't wear yourself out."
Song Cheng said, "We still need to figure out a way to go to the Prefectural City. Ruyi Commerce Chamber has a background there, and the reason for their halt here is because this place is an important node on the canal route. Those in charge of the commerce chamber naturally need to compete here for the rights to use the canal."
"Why do we need to go to the Prefectural City?" Young Mrs. Tong asked curiously.
It was then that Song Cheng remembered there were some things he hadn't yet told her, so he spoke softly, "From the memories of that ghost, I learned a bit of news.
That news tells me that the land we're on might... not be anything other than a cold realm of the dead.
Only places with many people can be filled with the Yang Qi of the living to counteract the Yin Qi and prevent mishaps.
Therefore, we need to head towards bustling places."
After the incident at Extreme Joy World, Song Cheng would never dare to wander aimlessly in the wilderness again.
He would resolutely execute his plan—to head towards the densely populated big cities.
Young Mrs. Tong murmured, "So, are you still just an ordinary disciple of the guild?"
Song Cheng said, "Perhaps it's not an ordinary guild."
The air quieted down.
To the point where it was somewhat awkward.
Young Mrs. Tong fiercely bit his lip, then let go.
"What are you doing?"
"Just wanted to bite this dishonest mouth."
"That... that ghost might have been an official who observed celestial phenomena in an Imperial City, so he knew a thing or two."
"Get lost."
Young Mrs. Tong buried her head in his chest.
Though she said "get lost," neither of them went anywhere.
...
...
The next day, in the evening.
The two of them went shopping. This place was expensive, that was expensive—they couldn't bring themselves to buy anything and eventually stopped at a small tavern that looked affordable, happily enjoying a good meal.
After eating, Song Cheng, gritting his teeth, led her into a fabric store called "Splendid Brocades and Silks," intending to buy two finer robes.
After all, the weather was getting warmer and it was no longer suitable to wear padded jackets.
And as people associated with Ruyi Commerce Chamber, they naturally needed better clothing, otherwise, even stepping out the door would require courage.
As a result, when the two looked at the prices for the Luo clothing,
goodness gracious, a simple-made women's Luo dress, 6 taels.
A Luo skirt, 7 taels.
The young shop assistant at the clothier glanced at them but made no move to introduce his goods, instead warmly welcoming the customers who arrived after them.
Young Mrs. Tong, however, had her eyes on a men's black Luo robe with cloud patterns, calling out, "Shop assistant, let's try on this one."
The assistant approached and handed it over to her.
Young Mrs. Tong passed it to Song Cheng to try on, saying, "You are the face of our house, you can't look shabby."
Song Cheng tried it on, and it fit perfectly.
He looked at the price, 8 taels of silver.
Young Mrs. Tong was ready to pay, but Song Cheng pulled her away to leave.
The assistant silently put the robe away and did not even glance at the departing duo.
It was as if the pair was invisible, silently arriving and silently leaving.
Once outside, Young Mrs. Tong didn't mention the clothing anymore. After all, discussing it further would be quite a blow to one's pride. When her mother was still alive, she would always complain about her father's meager earnings, and it always saddened him. So, she swiftly changed the subject, "Just now, I saw they were selling steamed buns over there, said to be filled with fat pork dipped in pepper salt, two for five wen. Hurry, let's go!"
Soon, the two were enthusiastically eating steamed buns again.
For those used to eating coarse grain and unsalted meat and fish all year round, these meat-filled steamed buns were nothing short of a delicacy.
The pair went out and aside from eating and buying some items like "Small Combs, Insect Ant Food, Lamp Grass, cheap rouge, cheap perfume," they didn't spend much money at all.
A vague sense of disappointment weighed on Song Cheng's heart.
Too poor...
Young Mrs. Tong gave his hand a squeeze and softly said, "We'll get there, in time."
Song Cheng smiled in response.
Still, they were quite happy when they returned that night.
Discussing the taste of the meat from the restaurant, the taste of the meat steamed buns.
And then, Young Mrs. Tong excitedly let Song Cheng pleasantly complete their grain transaction.
After a short rest, Song Cheng then checked out the southern district of the county town.
There were some small gangs in the south district, and martial artists who had reached the Entry Level were clearly more numerous than in the east district, with the strongest showing data of 30~30. He was nearly on par with that.
Yet, he still encountered no Night Wandering Yin Soul.
...
...
The next day, the two went to a modestly priced clothing shop and spent a total of 900 wen to buy two fitting new cloth garments.
Then, Young Mrs. Tong practiced swordsmanship during the day.
In the afternoon, Song Cheng was visited by the young mistress's personal maid, Ling, and then they both went to the main hall of the Commerce Chamber.
An Chenyu was dignified, stunningly beautiful, and seemed beyond approach, sitting with her legs slightly crossed, reviewing some ledgers, her brows constantly furrowed as if overwhelmed with worries she couldn't dispel.
"Miss, Song Cheng has arrived," said Ling.
"Mhm."
Only then did An Chenyu put down the ledgers, looked towards Song Cheng, exchanged a few pleasantries, and went straight to the point, "Song, the technique you train in is of the nimble kind. Our chamber has a Force Realm Technique of the nimble kind. Although it's a Common Technique, it's not bad. You should give it a try.
If you can achieve Entry Level in a month, I'll formally explain things to the elders at home, then we'll hold a banquet to officially make you my sworn brother. From then on, we'll share weal and woe as siblings. How does that sound?"
Song Cheng instantly understood.
This was a test of potential and also a way to report back to the family elders.
At that moment, he was displaying the strength of Great Achievement in Power Realm, which meant he was ready to train in the next level of techniques.
"A month to achieve Entry Level" was the standard of talent An Chenyu had set for him.
"Okay, Sister An," Song Cheng replied.
An Chenyu didn't say much else, clapped her hands, and said, "Ling, make sure the kitchen prepares some extra meat for Song on a daily basis."
"Yes, Miss," Ling replied.
After responding, the maid then led Song Cheng to the backyard while saying, "Do you think you can handle it?"
Song Cheng replied, "Let's give it a try."
Ling said, "In a few days, our chamber's chief guard, Shi Yi, will be coming back with goods. Mr. Shi is truly skilled, just a step away from Form Realm. He's only held back by the lack of a cultivation technique.
I'll talk to him and you can ask him if there's anything you don't understand."
Song Cheng asked, "Doesn't our chamber have Form Realm Techniques?"
Ling replied, "Don't get ahead of yourself. Wait until you've entered the Force Realm first."
After saying that, she added, "I'm telling you, normally, it's the guards who get to read the techniques after earning some merits. You're getting a special favor because of the times we're in."
Song Cheng curiously asked, "What special times?"
Ling replied, "All you need to know is that you must achieve Entry Level within a month."
Song Cheng said, "What if I achieve Entry Level in half a month?"
Ling chuckled but still answered, "All you need to know is that the faster, the better."
When they arrived at a Scripture Room, she led Song Cheng inside and then took out a technique from the depths of the room, handing it to him, "You can only read it here, but if you want to practice, you can do it in the yard."
Song Cheng accepted it and quickly skimmed through, only to find that he couldn't recognize most of the words, so he asked Ling for help.
Though Ling was impatient, she still patiently read it aloud to him, word by word.
After reading it twice, Ling, fearing further trouble, quickly left the room.
But that was no longer an issue.
The information on Song Cheng's face had changed:
[Cultivation Technique]
Willow Brushing Force (Yellow Level Grade C) (0/4) (Uninitiated)
A line of information emerged:
By observing others, one can overcome one's own limitations; the more one knows, the further one can advance.
By perusing "Willow Brushing Force," the "Xuanwu Force" has a 2‰ chance of deducing a "Yellow Level Grade B" technique.
'Hmm? As expected, the chances have doubled.'
'And if I spar with a skilled opponent, I can further increase the chance of deduction.'