Chapter 4: The Six Secrets of the Human Body

Xu Ying followed the snake demon towards Wu Wang Mountain. The snake demon’s dwelling, Qin Yan Cave, was located at the foot of Wu Wang Mountain, though the journey was quite far.

As they passed by Huangniqiao Village, they saw a tall woman standing at the village entrance from a distance. She was more than ten feet tall and had four arms, each gripping a sword, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

This was the village deity worshipped by the people of Huangniqiao Village.

"Guard every entrance and don't let your guard down!" the woman commanded the villagers. "That man named Xu Ying is sure to pass through here. Do not let him escape!"

Xu Ying and the snake demon immediately halted. They saw that all the roads were being watched, and even the fields were being monitored!

“The City God has issued a kill order on me!” Xu Ying's heart pounded, and he began to feel dizzy.

There were simply too many gods in Lingling. The area had 800 mountains and 500 rivers and lakes, with over 2,000 deities worshipped by various villages and towns!

With so many gods, Xu Ying felt it was almost impossible to escape to Wu Wang Mountain. No matter where he went, it would be a dead end!

"Watch this!" the snake demon chuckled, suddenly darting forward like an arrow, charging straight at the villagers blocking their path.

Seeing the massive snake, over thirty feet long, charging at them with its head held high, the villagers screamed in terror, dropping their weapons and running for their lives while crying out.

“A snake demon!”
“The snake demon is going to eat us!”
“One gulp and we’re done!”
“Help me, Goddess!”
“The goddess has been eaten!”

Hearing the cries, Xu Ying thought they sounded more like the snake demon’s own voice.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Xu Ying dashed past Huangniqiao Village without alarming anyone. Not long after, the snake demon caught up, sporting two sword wounds.

“It’s nothing serious. The deity of Huangniqiao Village is a woman. She cut me twice, but since she’s a lady, I won’t hold it against her,” the snake demon said generously.

Xu Ying replied earnestly, “Thank you for saving me, Brother Snake. May I ask your name?”

The snake demon spoke solemnly, “My ancestor practiced the Elephant Power Bull Demon Fist, so he took the surname Niu (Bull). When I was born, my father said that venomous snakes like us were called 'Yuan' in ancient times, and I’m the seventh in line, so I was named Yuan Qi.”

Xu Ying hesitated for a moment, then couldn’t help but say, “Brother Niu, the word ‘bull’ in the Elephant Power Bull Demon Fist doesn't mean you’re supposed to transform into a bull demon. It’s about embodying the fearless spirit of a bull demon. This martial art has nothing to do with being an actual bull.”

The snake demon Yuan Qi blinked in confusion, then said, "Are you telling me my ancestor misunderstood the Elephant Power Bull Demon Fist? My name’s fine, but my family's surname is wrong?"

Xu Ying tentatively suggested, "Perhaps you could change your surname?"

Yuan Qi burst into laughter, "My ancestor was named Niu, and my father was named Niu. How could I dishonor them? A true man doesn't change his name or surname—I’ll always be Yuan Qi!"

As for the surname "Niu," it seemed to have been forgotten.

On their journey, they encountered more gods from rural areas trying to capture them. The snake demon Yuan Qi charged ahead, drawing the gods' attention, while Xu Ying used the distraction to slip away.

These gods were all over ten feet tall, with strange and varied appearances. Some had four arms, some had two faces, others had eyes on their foreheads or even on their palms, which they used to look around.

These gods were often the spirits of the dead, residing in idols and receiving offerings from the living. Over time, they gained divine powers and could move freely through their idols.

Xu Ying avoided villages as much as possible, sticking to remote mountain forests. However, the forests also housed temples to mountain gods and earth gods, and rivers often had river gods dwelling within. Any misstep could easily alert these deities.

These rural deities were often former demons who had been conferred godhood.

They were powerful demons who had reached the peak of their Qi-gathering stage or had advanced to the seventh level of martial arts, enabling them to take human form. After swearing loyalty to the City God, they were appointed as mountain or river gods and became his subordinates.

These gods were much stronger than the village deities, and their untamed nature made them even more dangerous!

According to Yuan Qi, Xu Ying’s current strength was comparable to a high-level demon, but he was still far from the level of a demon king or a demon god.

Together, they carefully avoided both villages and temples, moving slowly. By noon, they had only covered twenty miles through the mountains.

Yuan Qi sniffed the air and said, "There’s a lot of moisture in that direction. There must be a water source!"

Xu Ying had already finished the fruits in his pouch and was parched. Following Yuan Qi, they soon heard the sound of a stream. Just as the snake demon was about to approach, he suddenly stopped. Ahead, by the stream, was a pool of water. A carriage was parked next to it, and two people—a master and a servant—were drawing water.

Not far away was a post road.

"No need to worry, it’s Lord Liu, the Sima," Xu Ying thought with relief and stepped forward.

Liu Zongyuan's carriage was loaded with heavy chests, indicating that he was preparing for a long journey. Xu Ying approached, bowed, and said, "Lord Sima, are you leaving Lingling?"

Liu Zongyuan was startled when he saw Xu Ying and the snake demon but then smiled, "Ah, it's young Xu Ying. I received an imperial edict calling me to the capital."

Xu Ying was genuinely happy for him and said, "Lord Sima, you are bound to be entrusted with great responsibility upon your return to the capital. I’m not very well-read, but I know you've always had the people of Yongzhou in mind. Once you’re favored by the Emperor, don’t forget the people of Yongzhou and make sure they have food to eat."

Liu Zongyuan, with a serious expression, replied, "Rest assured, young brother. Once I reach the capital, I will work to abolish old abuses, reduce harsh taxes, and implement reforms to bring back prosperity, fulfilling the trust placed in me by the people!"

Moved by his words, Xu Ying bowed deeply. "A humble man from the wilderness, I look forward to hearing your good news, Lord Sima."

Liu Zongyuan returned the bow. "I wouldn’t dare."

The servant finished drawing the water, and the carriage set off. "My lord, we should hurry on our way," the servant urged.

Liu Zongyuan boarded the carriage. Xu Ying waved in farewell, watching the carriage disappear into the distance.

"Lord Liu cares deeply for the world. Life will improve in the future!" Xu Ying smiled as he spoke to Yuan Qi.

But sadly, he could not foresee the future.

Liu Zongyuan’s journey to the capital did not bring him the success he hoped for. Instead, he faced constant opposition and was later demoted to Liuzhou. A few years later, he died in despair at the age of forty-eight.

The snake demon Yuan Qi, puzzled, asked, "Xu Ying, since you know such a high-ranking official, why not ask him to plead on your behalf and clear your name?"

Xu Ying smiled slightly, "Brother Niu, you just said that a true man doesn’t change his name or surname. I have something to say as well."

With great pride, Xu Ying declared, "A true man takes responsibility for his actions. Why would I need someone else’s help? I killed the gods, and I will bear all the consequences myself!"

“Well said!”

Suddenly, a voice of admiration echoed from the other side of the waterfall, startling the birds in the forest.

Xu Ying’s heart skipped a beat, and he followed the voice. Across the waterfall stood a young official in a green robe, appearing to be in his twenties. He had a scholarly aura and a refined appearance, clearly from a better background than Xu Ying, a country boy.

Xu Ying’s heart raced twice.

An official!

The last type of person he wanted to meet.

He had seen enough of these officials storming into villages, forcibly collecting rents and taxes, and taking away villagers’ livestock. No amount of crying or pleading could move their stone hearts.

Moreover, some of these officials were Nuo masters who wielded mysterious, unfathomable powers!

"Let’s hope he’s not a Nuo master..." Xu Ying’s heart pounded nervously.

"Well said indeed!" The young official in green clapped his hands in praise and said, "Xu Ying, since you claim to take responsibility for your actions, then you’ve committed treason by harming gods, breaking divine law, and murdering Master Jiang. You should surrender yourself."

"Surrender to your grandma!"

Xu Ying laughed loudly and said, "I even killed gods. Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you too?"

The young official smiled slightly, raised his thumb and forefinger, and plucked a tender leaf from a vine by the pool. In his hand, the leaf sprouted branches and grew rapidly, becoming lush and climbing up the willow tree by the pool.

Xu Ying’s heart skipped. This was an official who had mastered Nuo magic!

A Nuo master!

These masters possessed mysterious techniques, unlocking the body’s hidden powers and wielding unimaginable strength. They could command gods and demons and were the most formidable warriors in the world!

"Crack!"

The willow tree was snapped in several places by the vines that had wrapped around it like a giant serpent!

Xu Ying's eye twitched.

“My name is Ding Quan, the judicial assistant of Lingling. Xu Ying, you’ve been practicing demon magic, haven’t you?” Ding Quan asked casually as he lifted his foot and lightly stepped onto the water. The surface rippled slightly, and lotus flowers and leaves quickly grew from the bottom of the pool.

One of the lotus leaves supported Ding Quan's foot.

As Ding Quan raised his other foot to walk forward, another lotus leaf emerged from the water, supporting his step.

“Xu Ying, demon magic has given you great power, allowing you to kill gods, inflating your confidence. But the god you killed was just a village deity. They have a nickname: ‘Grass-Headed Gods.’”

Ding Quan continued walking across the water, each step creating more lotus leaves, his manner unhurried. “Our human race has a true path of cultivation. Why would you practice demon magic? Even at its peak, demon magic only reaches the Qi-gathering stage. But the human body has six secrets. Unlocking any one of them—just the first layer—can surpass village gods and demon kings!”

As he walked, lotus flowers bloomed beneath his feet, but behind him, the flowers and leaves withered and decayed into black ash.

Xu Ying clenched his fists and laughed, "Dare I ask, what are the six secrets of the human body? Which secret have you unlocked, and to what level?"

He suddenly froze, realizing the area around him was empty. The snake demon Yuan Qi had already slipped away without a trace.

Xu Ying felt a bit disappointed but soon let it go.

This was his own matter, and he didn't want to drag Yuan Qi into it.

Ding Quan stood before him, no more than two zhang (around 20 feet) away. The only difference was that Ding stood on the water, while Xu Ying was on the shore.

"The six secrets of the human body: Jiang Palace, Yellow Court, Jade Capital, Bubbling Spring, Jade Pool, and Mud Pill. You can only unlock one of them. Finding these hidden treasures is no easy task."

Ding Quan was in no rush and patiently explained, "Each person's hidden treasure is located in a different place, and you need a powerful Nuo master to help you locate the dragon's vein and find the hidden treasure. Once located, they can help you open it. Common folk have no such opportunities. Only those born into noble families, who have Nuo masters within their lineage, can unlock their hidden treasure and become Nuo masters, wielding the powers of the Nuo arts."

He sighed, "This is why becoming a Nuo master is incredibly difficult. It's not something just anyone can achieve."

Xu Ying chuckled, "I've only ever heard that Magistrate Zhou's family is a noble clan, but I've never heard of any renowned families with the surname Ding. It seems another way to become a Nuo master is by being a lapdog for noble families."

Ding Quan's face darkened. "You're courting death!"

Xu Ying's words struck a deep nerve!

Suddenly, the ground beneath Xu Ying’s feet began to churn. Thick green vines shot up from the earth, wrapping tightly around his legs and binding him completely!

The vines grew rapidly, like venomous dragons or massive pythons, soon coiling around his entire body, twisting him into a knot!

With a grim expression, Ding Quan raised his hand, and the vines lifted Xu Ying into the air with a whoosh, suspending him more than ten zhang (about 100 feet) high, towering above the forest!

With a swift downward motion of Ding's hand, the vines swung Xu Ying through the air and slammed him violently into the rocks by the pool!

A thunderous crash resounded, sending shards of stone flying!

Ding Quan spread his fingers wide, and sharp green vines burst from the ground, shooting toward Xu Ying, who lay amidst the shattered rocks. The vines whizzed through the air like green swords, piercing the spot where Xu Ying had fallen!

Countless stone fragments scattered in all directions, flying wildly!

Ding Quan clenched his right hand tightly, and the vines coiled around Xu Ying, forming a green sphere about nine feet wide. The vines intertwined, tightened, and compressed!

Even if the person inside was made of stone, they would be squeezed to the point of bursting, ground to powder!

"Don’t blame me."

Ding Quan slowly loosened his fist, the corners of his mouth twitching. "When you hit someone, you avoid the face. When you insult someone, you don’t expose their weaknesses. You exposed mine, so you must die!"

As his hand relaxed, the vines within the green sphere began to shatter, turning into dust.

The power of Ding Quan's Nuo magic was simply too overwhelming. The energy it unleashed exceeded the limits of the vines’ strength, causing them to disintegrate after the magic's force had been expended!

This was the power drawn from the human body's hidden treasures!