People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 9, Practicing Skills, The Tide Demoness's Summoning
Xu Qing returned home at dusk.

After casually eating some food bought from outside to fill her stomach, Xu Qing couldn't wait to close the door and lay out the strips of cloth one by one from the medicine box.

After lighting the oil lamp, Xu Qing began to seriously study the Changqing Gong. He had only read the opening narrative of the Changqing Gong before, and had not read the actual content of the Changqing Gong.

"Heaven and earth are one, with yin and yang as the pivot. Man establishes himself with the three treasures, and essence, qi and spirit give rise to all things."

"By harnessing the changes of the four seasons and the five elements through the principles of 'water filling, separation and union,' and practicing the techniques of guiding and breathing exercises, one can restore the primordial, primordial state. Movement and stillness complement each other, and strength and gentleness are balanced."

After reading through the Evergreen Technique, Xu Qing felt even more that this technique was extraordinary.

Leaving aside the fact that it prolongs life, the key point is that this technique has an extremely low barrier to entry.

Generally speaking, it's best to start practicing martial arts as early as possible, while the body is still developing and it's easier to train. The more advanced the technique, the more it needs to be practiced from a young age.

But Changqing Gong is different; it has no such restriction, so it is very suitable for Xu Qing, who has already missed the best time to practice martial arts.

Moreover, the Evergreen Skill blends the essence of Taoism and medicine, allowing for extremely rapid cultivation of internal energy without harming the body. Upon reaching a certain level, internal energy will circulate automatically even without conscious effort.

The effects of the Evergreen Kung Fu's internal energy are also exceptional. Not only can it automatically protect the body and deflect attacks, but it can also heal injuries and remove poisons. At a high level, it can even imitate the martial arts techniques of others.

"This is so much like a combination of the Nine Yang Manual and the Lesser Formless Divine Skill from martial arts novels! Never mind, the more powerful this skill is, the better for me."

Xu Qing stopped worrying, stood up facing east, and gripped the ground with his five toes as if rooted to the ground.

Guide the Lesser Yang Qi with the posture of a bear stretching and a bird extending its wings, and combine it with the breathing method written in Changqing Gong.

Xu Qing stood in a standing meditation posture, silently reciting the Changqing Gong mental technique to feel the flow of internal energy within his body.

However, the original owner had no martial arts foundation whatsoever, so the field was empty and contained no internal energy whatsoever.

As dusk settled in the west and night gradually enveloped Xinzheng, Xu Qing's courtyard fell silent. The only sounds inside were Xu Qing's breathing and the crackling of the oil lamp.

Xu Qing stood still, his expression unchanged. Although the original owner of this body had never learned martial arts, he came from a family of doctors and had been physically strong since childhood, so his physical condition was excellent.

Silently reciting the mantra, Xu Qing sensed the movement within his body. Suddenly, he felt his Taichong and Ququan acupoints tremble, and a tiny surge of energy appeared in his meridians.

Upon seeing this, Xu Qing was overjoyed. According to the description of the Evergreen Skill, he had already entered the first stage.

Xu Qing immediately focused his mind and body, and controlled the faint internal energy to circulate through his meridians according to the Changqing Gong's energy circulation method.

After completing one cycle, Xu Qing could clearly feel that the tiny wisp of internal energy had grown a little bit stronger. Although it was only a little bit, it was enough to make Xu Qing happy.

Xu Qing gathered his inner energy into his dantian, opened his eyes, and let out a long sigh of relief.

I glanced outside and saw that it was already night, then I looked at the hourglass next to me that was used to keep track of time.

"From the start of my training until now, it's only taken me a quarter of an hour. To cultivate internal energy in just a quarter of an hour, I wonder what my talent is? Compared to those young masters in the original story, like Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang, it should be nothing," Xu Qing thought to himself.

If a martial artist heard Xu Qing's words, they would be so angry they'd vomit blood. For an ordinary person cultivating internal energy, even just sensing the existence of internal force for the first time is considered a sign of talent. To be able to cultivate even a trace of internal force on the same day already puts them at the level of disciples from a hundred different martial arts schools.

Within a few hours, they would be considered among the more talented disciples. Within half a day, they would be trained as elite disciples.

As for those who can be called geniuses within one or two hours, they will surely become the backbone of the sect in the future.

As for cultivating internal energy within a quarter of an hour, even just a wisp of it would be enough for all schools of thought to regard it as a once-in-a-century genius and fight over it.

"Forget it, I'll stop thinking about it. Since I lack talent, I'll make up for it with hard work. I'll keep practicing. As long as I master the first level of the Evergreen Skill, the internal energy of the Evergreen Skill will be able to circulate on its own continuously. I'll set a goal for myself: master the first level within a month."

It is now June of the eighth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign. In the spring of the ninth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, Han Fei will return to the country, and the entire Xinzheng will be plunged into a turbulent and unpredictable vortex.

Xu Qing wasn't sure if he could remain unscathed in this vortex, so he had to spend the next six months improving his strength as much as possible to prepare for the coming storm.

Feeling a sense of crisis, Xu Qing continued to practice the Evergreen Technique.

Unbeknownst to him, the sand in the hourglass had been flowing away, and the sound of the night watchman's drum outside woke Xu Qing from his training.

"It's already 7:45 PM. I've been practicing for an hour and a half without even realizing it." Xu Qing kicked his aching legs, feeling the internal energy emerging in his dantian, his face full of joy.

The Evergreen Skill truly lives up to its reputation as a skill based on the ancient Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic, a combination of the essence of medicine and Taoism from Bian Que and Liezi. Although he had only practiced for an hour and a half, Xu Qing's internal energy was already comparable to that of an ordinary person who had cultivated diligently for one or two days.

This time, Xu Qing not only brought back the Evergreen Kung Fu, but also two medical books. Practicing martial arts is necessary, but Xu Qing's top priority right now is to improve his medical skills.

So Xu Qing collected and hid all the cloth from Changqing Gong, and took out the scroll of "Nan Jing" to read.

The Classic of Difficult Issues, also known as the Yellow Emperor's Eighty-One Difficult Issues, discusses medical topics such as pulse diagnosis, meridians, visceral manifestations, diseases, acupoints, and acupuncture techniques.

Xu Qing's bamboo slips record the sixty-ninth to eighty-first tribulations, which correspond to acupuncture techniques.

Looking at the Nan Jing in his hand, a look of disappointment flashed in Xu Qing's eyes. Although it was a good book, it was too profound for him, a half-baked doctor, and it wouldn't be of much use to his current medical skills.

"What a pity, what a pity, it seems that my opportunity for a fourth-grade master is not this difficult scripture."

As Xu Qing spoke, he continued to open the bamboo slips. Upon seeing the last contents of the bamboo slips, Xu Qing's expression instantly changed from disappointment to joy.

"As expected, I am God's favorite child!"

Looking at the last contents recorded on the bamboo slip, Xu Qing wished he could immediately kowtow to the heavens.

He had originally planned to temporarily give up his studies, but he did not expect that the bamboo slips would eventually record a special acupuncture technique.

This acupuncture technique is not only used to treat illnesses and save lives, but can also be used as a method of concealing weapons.

“I was just saying that the classics of traditional Chinese medicine are not just about treating illnesses and saving lives,” Xu Qing said with a smile.

In the original novel, Duanmu Rong is not only the Immortal Physician of Mirror Lake but also the leader of the Mo family. In addition to healing the sick and saving lives, she is also skilled in using hidden weapons.

During the battle at the Mechanized City, Duanmu Rong successfully blocked Bai Feng, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Quicksand Gang, by using silver needles as hidden weapons, although she was eventually captured.

"I just don't know if this acupuncture technique is the same one that Duanmu Rong used. Contentment brings happiness. I've already gained enough today, there's no need to be greedy."

"We have the internal energy cultivation method, and now we have a needle technique and an offensive method. That's enough."

Putting down the *Nan Jing*, Xu Qing picked up the medical book that Physician Wang had given her. She needed to learn acupuncture, but it was already late; she could find time to study it later.

"Old Wang is really sincere; this is all practical information," Xu Qing said, looking at the bamboo slips.

The bamboo slips contain the medical skills and experience of Physician Wang. If they were placed outside, they would surely attract countless disciples of physicians vying for them.

Xu Qing glanced at the hourglass and, seeing that there was still some time left, continued reading the bamboo slips in his hand.

Just as Xu Qing was engrossed in medical books, undercurrents were swirling within the Han King's palace.

A maidservant strode into Mingzhu Palace. As the most favored concubine of King Han An, Lady Mingzhu Chao Nu Yao's palace was the most luxurious in the entire Han royal palace.

Rare flowers and exotic plants can be seen everywhere in the palace, and dozens of eunuchs and maids stand in the palace and outside the sleeping quarters, waiting for Lady Mingzhu to do her errands.

The palace maid pushed open the bedroom door and entered, bowing to Lady Mingzhu on the bed.
"Madam, we have found out everything."

"It is true that Consort Hu's illness was cured by Xu Qing, a newcomer to the Imperial Medical Academy, using a method called 'speaking about illness.' However, it wasn't as miraculous as the rumors suggested. As for Xu Qing's background, I have already investigated it thoroughly."

On the bed, Madam Mingzhu wore an extremely form-fitting black lace nightgown that accentuated her figure perfectly, making her incredibly alluring.

Large swathes of snow-white skin were exposed, the towering peaks were half-naked, a thin layer of black gauze covered her lower abdomen, and her slender waist was faintly visible.

A pair of long, smooth, beautiful legs were crossed, and her fair feet were raised. Her small feet swayed slightly, and her grape-red toes looked so translucent in the moonlight.

If Xu Qing were here, he would surely shout that it conforms to the rites of Zhou!
Her face had delicate features, with slightly upturned willow-leaf eyebrows that made her look charming and alluring. Her long, narrow eyes were like deep lake water, sparkling with a bewitching light.

Her full, rosy lips curved slightly upward, and a faint smile graced her face.

"This young imperial physician seems to have some special skills, which makes me quite curious."

"After he enters the palace tomorrow, summon him to examine my pulse." The Tide Demoness's eyes gleamed, clearly showing some interest in Xu Qing.

"promise."

"Where will Your Majesty spend the night? In Consort Hu's palace?" Chao Nu Yao asked casually.

Her actions were not out of concern for King Han An, but rather because, as one of the Four Fiends of the Night, she was in charge of the court affairs, and her way of controlling the court was to control King Han An.

As for the lustful and incompetent King An of Han, the best way to control him was to control the beauties in his harem.

Pillow talk is often more effective than advice from court officials.

"Your Majesty will be sleeping in Lady Nanming's palace tonight."

"Lady Nanming? She is already pregnant, and the King even spent the night in her palace. It seems that this younger sister's ambition is quite extraordinary."

The succubus smiled, but her eyes were filled with coldness.
"Step down and go do what you're supposed to do."

"promise."

Xinzheng, the residence of the Fourth Prince.

The study was brightly lit, and two figures were reflected in the window.

"Have you found out? Who cured Consort Hu's illness?" Fourth Young Master Han Yu asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting to Fourth Master, it is said to be a royal physician named Xu Qing..."

Han Yu's adopted son and bodyguard, Han Qiancheng, informed the fourth prince, Han Yu, of the information he had gathered about the Han royal palace.

"Talking about illness? The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits. This Physician Xu is quite capable," Han Yu said in a deep voice.

Han Qiancheng glanced at Han Yu, whose expression was unreadable, and asked...
"Fourth Master, should we continue our preparations? The jester from Zhao has arrived."

"Now that Lady Hu is cured, she should rest and recuperate. Let them go back, and the performance fees will still be paid in full."

Han Yu rubbed his temples, a look of regret flashing across his face.

"promise."

As an ambitious fourth prince, Han Yu has always coveted the position of crown prince, but with Ji Wuye's help behind the crown prince, it is extremely difficult for him to seize the position.

Fortunately, the crown prince's lack of moral character gave him an opportunity.

Over the years, he built up his reputation, recruited retainers, and won over court officials, assembling a team capable of supporting his bid for the crown prince position.

Han Yu always understood that to become the crown prince, one's own abilities were not the most important thing; the most important thing was Han Wang An's high regard for him.

To gain the favor of King Han An, no amount of hard work could compare to a single whispered suggestion from a favored concubine in the harem.

Han Wang An's two favorite concubines, the most favored of whom was Lady Mingzhu, looked down on Han Yu, so Han Yu placed his hopes on Lady Hu, his easy-going stepmother.

In order to curry favor with Hu Meiren, Han Yu often presented her with rare and precious treasures.

After learning the reason for Hu Meiren's serious illness, he tried his best to resolve her inner conflict.

Knowing that Lady Hu loved watching plays, and in order to please her and also to ease the worries of King Han, he spent a lot of money to send people to Zhao to invite the most famous actors to perform.

Unfortunately, just as he arrived, he received news that Lady Hu had recovered from her illness.

"It's really not going to go as planned. Since the path through Hu Meiren is temporarily blocked, let's activate the backup plan." A ruthless glint flashed in Han Yu's eyes.

"Yes," Han Qiancheng said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with coldness.

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(End of this chapter)