Chapter Forty-Six: Liu Qiao'er Passes on the Art

"Learned by accident," Chen Yushu replied. After a moment's thought, he realized there was little point in hiding things from someone like Liu Qiao’er, who knew him so well. So, he recounted in brief how he had encountered a spirit, helped it fulfill its last wish, and thus received an inheritance. At the end, he added with a hint of regret, "Unfortunately, what was left to me was only a method, but no accompanying techniques."

"That's actually quite normal," Liu Qiao’er responded. "For someone who walks the path of the underworld, having a single method is already fortunate. Many lack even that. I do know the Li family from Xujiapo. Their White Tiger Visualization Method isn’t especially brilliant, but it’s decent enough—and more importantly, complete. As for techniques, most practitioners like us have to feel our own way. True inheritances that come with matching techniques are rare."

She nodded, unsurprised, and after a pause, continued, "If you were just starting out, I wouldn’t say much. But you’re advancing so quickly, and you’re almost ready to ignite your first incense—already on the threshold of gaining true cultivation. Without matching techniques, if you encounter another fierce spirit like before, you’ll be at a disadvantage. Here’s what I propose: prepare thirty taels of silver, and I’ll teach you some techniques. What do you say?"

"Ah?" Chen Yushu’s initial delight faded into astonishment as he heard her last words. Silver was required for this?

"Of course," Liu Qiao’er said matter-of-factly. "Methods are not to be lightly passed on. The same goes for techniques. Li Pei wasn’t a practitioner, and with no family left, that method could be handed down freely—no one would object. But when practitioners exchange methods and techniques, there’s always a price to pay, often both in silver and in favors. If you weren’t from the same village, I wouldn’t offer these techniques so readily. Even if I did, the cost would be much more than a few dozen taels of silver.”

"You're right, Qiao’er," Chen Yushu agreed, nodding. Indeed, methods should not be carelessly handed down—especially for those who interact directly with spirits and supernatural beings. The threshold for entry was high, and so it was no surprise that learning matching methods and techniques was rare. If not for their shared roots, she might not be teaching him at all.

Thirty taels of silver wasn’t exactly exorbitant, but it was still a hefty sum for him. He pulled a wry face and said, "But Qiao’er, I’m still just an apprentice with barely any silver to my name. How about I owe you for now? Once I have the money, I’ll bring it straight to you."

"That’s against the rules," Liu Qiao’er replied with a frown.

"Rules are dead things, people are living, aren’t they? We’re from the same village—if not childhood friends, then close enough. Besides, with your beauty and skill, I couldn’t possibly think of cheating you, even if I wanted to. Isn’t that right?"

His mixture of sincerity and flattery made Liu Qiao’er smile inwardly, and eventually, she nodded in agreement.

"By the way, isn’t it odd for us to be standing here talking so long? It’s getting late, and my place is just up ahead. Why don’t you spend the night there, Qiao’er?"

"It’s been quiet for so long, the master inside probably hasn’t realized I’ve already dealt with the vengeful spirit. Very well, I’ll rest at your place, and in the meantime, interrogate the spirit to see what more I can learn," Liu Qiao’er said, glancing at Chen Yushu and nodding.

And so, the two made their way to Chen Yushu’s lodging.

…

"Not bad, this place of yours," Liu Qiao’er remarked, looking around.

"It’s decent, and the rent is reasonable—only two taels of silver," Chen Yushu replied, then asked if she had eaten. Sensing her embarrassment, he understood immediately and busied himself in the kitchen.

Half an hour later, he brought to the table two dishes and a soup. It wasn’t a feast, but the taste was acceptable, and even Liu Qiao’er had two helpings of rice.

"Do you have paper and brush? Since I agreed to teach you techniques, I won’t go back on my word," Liu Qiao’er said as she set down her bowl, a contented burp bringing a flush to her delicate face. She quickly changed the subject to the matter of instruction.

"Yes, of course," Chen Yushu replied eagerly, leading her into the study and swiftly preparing ink and paper.

With a nod, Liu Qiao’er began to write.

Just three characters into her writing, Chen Yushu’s face lit up with excitement—Subduing Yin Formula! To think the first technique she’d write down for him was the very one she’d used earlier to suppress the spirit.

"Many of the techniques for practitioners like us are closely tied to one’s cultivation," Liu Qiao’er explained as she wrote. "Some techniques should never be used if your cultivation isn’t up to par. This Subduing Yin Formula is just right for someone with the cultivation of a single stick of incense. I could teach you orally, but you wouldn’t learn it in just a session or two, and I won’t be here long. Better to write it down, so you can ponder it yourself."

Chen Yushu didn’t dare interrupt. He nodded repeatedly, his heart surging with gratitude.

"This time, I’ll teach you three techniques. First is the Subduing Yin Formula, which will make dealing with minor spirits much easier for you. The second is the Aura-Sighting Technique," Liu Qiao’er continued, her writing filling the page.

Only then did Chen Yushu notice that Liu Qiao’er’s handwriting was rather rough—by the standards of his own calligraphy skills, it was just at the first level, ‘self-discernment’—not yet neat or refined. But he cared little for that. The knowledge was what mattered; as long as it was legible, the beauty of the script was of no consequence.

"With the Aura-Sighting Technique, you’ll be able to gauge another practitioner’s cultivation at a glance. If you encounter someone with greater cultivation, you should avoid them if you can. If you can’t, then be humble and keep your head down. In our line of work, higher cultivation means vastly superior abilities. Even if two people use the Subduing Yin Formula, the technique is far more powerful in the hands of someone with greater cultivation."

"And there’s another aspect—it also lets you perceive the forces around you. Which places are shrouded in Yin, where evil gathers—you’ll be able to see it all. Out in the wild, this technique can help you avoid many dangerous beings. The moment you sense something amiss, retreat immediately. No one knows what terrifying things might be lurking in seemingly ordinary places."

"Walking in the underworld may let you see spirits and dark things clearly, but it also means you’re exposed to them as well. If they wish you harm, you’ll have no choice but to defend yourself. If you can prevail, so be it; if not, it could end very badly…"

Liu Qiao’er’s tone was grave as she spoke, her expression turning solemn.