Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 175 Ruined by the Context

Zhao Yifu was playing with the two "Bai Yi Coins" in his hands. This time in the Xuansu Market, the only thing he gained was probably these two copper coins.

The copper coin is an ordinary copper coin, but what makes it different is the yang and spiritual energy attached to it...

It's very strange, isn't it? The special features of the currency currently popular in the cultivation world coincide with the power used by the Danqing Sect since ancient times.

So where do these yang and spiritual energy come from?

There is no doubt that it comes from the process of "hundred changes".

If a copper coin is traded a hundred times, each time it changes hands, it carries with it some of the willpower of both parties involved. It might not be noticeable once or twice, but after a hundred times, you'll notice a noticeable difference.

Zhao Yifu couldn't help but feel a little suspicious. Could it be that the Danqing School was actually at the forefront of the times?
"Ding ding dong dong..."

There was a sound of plucking strings coming from the side.

It was Elder Cangqiu who was teaching Huigu the art of playing the zither. This woman was indeed the next generation of Zhenyi Fairy chosen by Zhenyi Dao, and her talent was terrifyingly strong.

Anyway, Zhao Yifu knew nothing about music, so he looked at his uncle Xiaohui with admiration when she mastered the techniques of the zither in one go.

Little did she know that his pure gaze made Huigu very uncomfortable. She felt like sitting on pins and needles, as if something was wrong with her.

When the piano music stopped, she gently touched her face and asked, "Why are you looking at me? Did my makeup smudge?"

Well, Huigu is still wearing disguise now, and her makeup does need to be repaired.

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "No, I just think that my uncle is worthy of being my uncle. He is really amazing."

When Huigu heard this, she thought he was cursing.

What kind of talent does this kid have? What qualifications does he have to say that others have good talent?
In short, when Hui Gu heard him say that he was talented, she thought he was being sarcastic, right?
Zhao Yifu was stared at for no apparent reason and could only touch his nose and shut up.

Recently he has discovered a trend. No matter what he says or does, he will be stared at by a group of people around him, as if he has done something hateful.

Zhao Yifu felt a little aggrieved about this.

He thought, okay, then it’s okay for him to just mind his own business, right?

A person, feeling wronged, huddled in a corner, thinking about his own affairs, listening to the sound of the piano being played again...

The guqin is an instrument that is best enjoyed quietly by a few good friends in a small place like this.

It would be even better if the performer is not only skilled but also pleasing to the eye.

Zhao Yifu felt much better when he saw his master Xiaohui playing the piano.

He remembered the alchemy steps that Uncle Xiaohui had shared with him, and then prepared to take stock of how much he had left in stock.

There were quite a few things in the Xieyue Sect's treasury, but he had made a rough inventory of them before, so looking through them again now was nothing special.

It was just that Yi Yi snuggled into his sleeves and played with his fingers, which made him enjoy it.

But think about it, wouldn't it be too slow to take out and process so many materials when they are actually needed?
He decided to do some preliminary processing first.

Yiyi ran out and squatted on his legs. He gently kneaded Yiyi's body with one hand, and reached into his sleeve with the other hand to take out pieces of materials, crush them and mash them to purify the spirit.

This kind of thing was easy for Zhao Yifu, so it was no problem for him to divide his attention and do two things at once.

He sealed and stored the pre-processed materials using sealing techniques, which could keep them active for a long time.

He became quiet here. The fact that he was tinkering with his own things made others feel uncomfortable.

The most lively voice was missing from the carriage, and the quiet atmosphere soon became a little awkward.

Fortunately, Huigu was playing the piano all the time, so the sound was a little better.

However, everyone's eyes always drifted towards Zhao Yi Fu intentionally or unintentionally. On the one hand, when this guy became quiet, people felt that he was doing something. On the other hand, the rhythm of his fingers was actually very beautiful, which made people subconsciously forget the time when watching him.

Then when they realized what Zhao Yifu was doing, the faces of the group changed one after another.

Zhao Yifu is making elixir!

He just used his hands to rub the spiritual materials while refining the elixir!
A faint glow of fire appeared at his fingertips. That was the Pure Yang True Fire that the Pure Yang lineage treasured the most!

With a weak fire, the spiritual materials were roasted slowly without any waste.

The dexterous hands would occasionally pick out some impurities from the spiritual materials. These were useless medicinal properties that had been refined. If they were continued to be refined in the alchemy furnace, they would become elixir poison.

Not to mention the combination of medicinal properties. Under his dexterous hands, all kinds of medicinal properties are perfectly combined, which is better than any alchemy method.

However, when the medicinal properties are combined, there will always be some counteraction, and then some toxicity will be produced.

This is the key factor that directly affects the medicinal properties of the finished elixir, and it is also the most difficult step. Normally, the production of these impurities and their toxicity is completely random, and even the best alchemists can only reduce their production as much as possible and then find ways to eliminate them to improve the success rate and quality of the elixir.

When alchemists refine elixirs, they always have unique techniques to coordinate with them. Therefore, those who rashly try to cultivate external elixirs without inheriting the tradition will often end up in poverty...

What Zhao Yifu was doing at this time was far superior to any other alchemy method in the eyes of those who knew the business.

There's no way around it. No matter how useful a spell is, it can't be compared to a small fingernail...

"Impossible! How did you manage to control the fire and not burn the herbs?"

Huigu could no longer concentrate on playing the piano.

Zhao Yi Fu seemed to be startled, and the flame in his hand fluctuated, making everyone nervous, fearing that his pill would be wasted.

However, everyone discovered that the spiritual essence transformed from the medicinal herbs in his palm was very stable and did not change due to the fluctuations of the true fire.

Zhao Yifu came back to his senses and said, "Well, I put a layer of Ren water between the true fire and the medicinal materials to control the fire power, and also to help regulate the medicinal properties."

“It seems to be working pretty well now.”

Hui Gu was bewildered. This spell was a little unpopular, and she couldn't remember where the "Ren Shui" came from.

Liang Zhongzhi suddenly realized, "I once taught you the 'Ren Water Breaking Evil Technique'. It uses the unique yang-attributed true qi of our Pure Yang Sect to create yang-attributed water that can purify evil spirits... I never thought you could use it this way."

"However, using Yang water to isolate the flames is indeed a good way to control the temperature without damaging the medicinal properties of the herbs."

Hui Gu nodded in understanding, but still asked, "What about the temperature? Using alchemy furnaces and cauldrons, we can create a high-temperature environment..."

Zhao Yifu said, "I just need to increase the density of the Qi around the Yang Water to form high pressure, which can increase its boiling temperature. Generally speaking, the herbs and medicinal materials should be enough."

"If you want to refine those spiritual materials of gold and stone... well, then you should use the alchemy furnace. I only have a little trick specifically for herbs and medicinal materials."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out to be just a 'little trick' for using plant spiritual materials...

However, they soon came back to their senses. What "little trick" was this? It was actually an exquisite alchemy skill that could be established!

Hui Gu wanted to speak several times but couldn't find the words...

She simply couldn't describe how she felt at the moment.

As for Zhao Yifu, he was actually quite humble and said, "It's all thanks to Master Hui who taught me how to make pills. Otherwise, I wouldn't have thought of this."

That's the damn feeling!
Hui Gu covered her chest, feeling that her inner demon was about to rise.

No, I can’t stay in the same space with this guy anymore, otherwise my mind will become unstable.

She quickly said, "No, don't call me Uncle Hui, I'm Xiao Hui."

He lifted the door curtain and walked outside, saying without looking back, "I'm going to sit outside for a while."

The big guys of Danqing Sect seemed quite calm about this, after all, they were from Danqing Sect.

No matter how awesome Zhao Yifu was, and no matter how awesome the alchemy method he created was... at most, he would just have added another interesting tradition to the Dharma Grotto for future generations to discover.

Even Senior Brother Nie Hua didn't care too much. He was just surprised when he saw it, and then he immersed himself in his own world and muttered to himself.

Most of the disciples of Danqing School have this problem, which may be said to be a common problem among artists.

This is especially true as you get older.

They have all gone very far in their respective fields and are unlikely to be shaken by the achievements or special performances of others. They just sigh, "It's really amazing."

Or to put it more clearly, it's good that Zhao Yifu has figured out a technique for processing medicinal materials, but what Nie Hua is thinking about at this time is how to use different medicinal properties to create a new pill recipe!

These are two completely different dimensions. Zhao Yifu's "hand-rubbing elixir refining method" is indeed very practical and powerful, but it does not transcend the original pharmacological scope of the elixir formula and is simply a creative way to play within the existing framework.

But what Nie Hua did was to break out of the existing framework and make a brand new attempt based on medicinal properties and pharmacology... At least in Zhao Yifu's eyes, what Nie Hua did was much better than what he did.

Therefore, he always respected Nie Hua and never became complacent about his achievements.

When the elixir is ready.

A strong and clear medicinal fragrance wafted out, and even the expanded carriage could not contain it, and it drifted outside.

Just smelling the fragrance of this medicine makes me feel that it can cleanse my internal organs and make my five internal organs feel refreshed.

Hui Gu opened the door curtain again and ran back, asking, "What kind of elixir are you refining?"

Zhao Yifu was still sizing up the elixir he had refined. Without even looking up, he replied, "The Miasma-Breaking Pill...it should be called the Barrier-Breaking Pill."

Liang Zhongzhi understood again: "Oh, that pill recipe I taught you, not bad."

Hui Gu turned her head and looked at Liang Zhongzhi with a strange look. Why did this man speak as if he knew everything?

As for the other two Danqingmen bosses...

Elder Cangqiu simply nodded and said casually, "Well, it seems that your aptitude in alchemy is not bad. Finally, you have some good qualities."

This master of the art of zither always remembered that Zhao Yifu was just a poor student at the bottom of the class in front of him and needed humanistic care.

What about Nie Hua, the alchemy major?

He sniffed the medicinal fragrance and said, "The medicinal properties have been well integrated, but the heat is a little off. This must be a flaw in your alchemy technique. You can think about how to improve this aspect."

"Although your manipulation of combining all the medicinal properties is commendable, it also lacks its distinctive features. This makes the 'Po Miasma Pill', originally intended to eliminate miasma, appear to be a universal antidote."

"Although this medicine is very good, it ultimately loses the original meaning of the recipe."

Nie Hua scolded him, and Zhao Yifu listened attentively with his head down, pondering the logic behind it.

Liang Zhongzhi said from the side: "Brother Nie Hua, this child is still young. It's rare for him to achieve something, so he should be praised. Don't ruin his enthusiasm."

Nie Hua said calmly, "I'm just telling the truth. It's fine if he listens, but it's fine if he doesn't... Well, at his age, it's really not easy to refine such a pill."

Finally, he gave a reluctant compliment.

Zhao Yifu didn't seem proud at all, and he looked like he was willing to learn...

Hui Gu looked blankly at the seemingly harmonious and friendly Danqingmen old and young people in front of her, and suddenly felt that Zhao Yifu's humility was not false humility, but perhaps he really felt that he was not good enough.

After all, anyone who grows up in such an environment would have little confidence, right?
These elders are really good at putting on airs. They all seem to know how to do everything.

Huigu felt very strange. Could it be that Danqingmen was really like this?

She clearly felt that if Zhao Yifu's talent had been discovered by her master earlier, there was no doubt that she would have been doomed to failure in the True Dao. Her master might even have been able to clear his mind and heal his inner demons without medication...

Then she realized something was wrong.

In what areas did Zhao Yifu demonstrate his talents?
From what she saw, the first thing was: amazing fighting talent, decisiveness in killing and no mercy when it came to action... This was a natural born Pure Yang Sword Vein seedling.

Later, as they got to know each other, they discovered that he also had an excellent talent for Qi training, and had unique insights into both internal and external alchemy, and could even be said to be brilliant... He was the chosen disciple of the Pure Yang Dan Ding lineage.

So the question is, what Zhao Yifu is in is the cultural context.

Based on what she had seen and heard during this period, she clearly knew that in the minds of the cultural leaders, Zhao Yifu was regarded as "average in talent", "potentially promising", "quite hardworking", and "making some progress".

Are the cultural leaders deliberately suppressing it?

Obviously not. She could feel that all of these senior brothers and uncles in the cultural field were very good people, gentle and modest gentlemen.

So, in the eyes of the Wenmai masters, Zhao Yifu's talent as a Wenmai disciple is really average...

As for the talents shown in other areas?
In the eyes of cultural leaders, it may not be that important at all.

So when she showed her good musical talent, she would receive generous praise from Old Man Cangqiu and also receive envious glances from Zhao Yifu.

But what about Zhao Yifu's performance, which was so stunning in her eyes?

In the eyes of cultural leaders, they think, "This kid has this unique skill? It's just that his grades aren't that good."

Hui Gu suddenly felt a little uncomfortable, wondering if Zhao Yifu's great talent would be wasted here in Wenwei?

No, thinking of this, she felt that her inner demon was about to come out again... She was a little worried, could she still form a pill in this mental state?

……

The group walked and stopped on their way to Tianyuan Prefecture, and finally arrived at Tianyuan Prefecture where Difei Mountain was located at the beginning of autumn.

Arriving at Tianyuan Prefecture, which was considered a very central place in Liao State, Zhao Yifu clearly felt that the folk customs and habits had begun to change.

Many of the people here have lost the original feeling of the Central Plains Dynasty, and their behavior and tone of voice have begun to resemble Hu Feng.

It is hard to imagine that if this place were to be ruled by the Liao Kingdom for another hundred years, would it still identify with the Central Plains culture?
Zhao Yifu watched this scene silently, and at the same time, he wrote down everything he saw and heard among the people during his trip to the north in his sleeve and sent it to his pen pal at the same time.

[The Northern Expedition, the Northern Expedition must be carried out! ]

[I can't wait any longer... I suddenly understand why I'm in this position. I must complete this mission, even if it means dying!]

Zhao Yifu: [Don't worry. The Northern Expedition is a consensus, and many people are willing to do so. However, we cannot act blindly. We must ensure the highest possible chance of success.]

[Rich people... No, Your Majesty. You must understand that this Northern Expedition involves a lot of stakes.]

Ying Cong: [What?]

Zhao Yifu: [If this Northern Expedition fails, I'm afraid the pattern of division between the north and the south will be difficult to shake, or in other words, it will be difficult for the current Great Xu to change this situation.]

Ying Cong: [I understand what you mean. If we lose this battle again, those nobles in the kingdom will completely retreat and won't be willing to invest any more energy in this battle, right?]

[Okay, then let's wait a little longer... But how long do we have to wait?]

Ying Cong was obviously very annoyed. He was not a cunning person, at least he could not hide anything in front of Zhao Yifu.

Zhao Yifu consoled him: "At least we should wait until we have a strong army capable of launching a northern expedition, right?"

Ying Cong said: [A strong army? We in Great Xu have a million strong army!]

Zhao Yifu said: [Have you seen what that million-strong army looks like?]

Ying Cong said: [It was mentioned in the memorial.]

Zhao Yifu said: [How much can we trust the things in the memorial?]

Ying Cong said: [What should I do?]

Zhao Yifu: [Aren't the military officials currently implementing a plan to strengthen the army? Don't worry, I'll help you keep an eye on it during this time.]

This was the only way he could console himself. He couldn't possibly say that local military affairs had almost collapsed, right?

It's actually quite amazing. The military power of the Great Xu is much worse than it was a hundred years ago when it first crossed the South, yet it can still hold its own against the Liao Kingdom... Why is that? Because the Liao Kingdom is even worse.

From what we saw and heard along the way, we can see that most of Liao’s army is actually composed of the original Xu people, but they are restrained by a cruel system of collective responsibility.

The elite Qiang and Hu cavalry that they once relied on have now become lazy bandits who are greedy for food and have long lost the fighting capabilities of their ancestors.

When Zhao Yifu saw this situation, he understood in his heart that as long as Da Xu could train a truly strong army, it would be able to win a great victory that would boost the morale of the entire country.

This victory can change the current situation of confrontation between the North and the South to many extents.

Zhao Yifu's trip to the north this time can be regarded as a real study tour for him.

Because of the "Thousand Mile Painting", both he and the emperor's horizons were broadened.

But he didn't say whether the people of the Southern Dynasty would still have a chance if the Northern Expedition failed.

Yes, there are, but that is no longer the business of the Daxu royal family.

(End of this chapter)