It all started with one person becoming a shaman, but the Stand user...

"You little brat, are you sure you can really gain anything from taking beatings like this every day?"

Qinghe Miao and his master have been staying here for some time now.

Despite his own refusal, Guan Shihua was not in a position to directly teach him anything good.

But when he proposed a competition, Guan Shihua didn't really refuse.

They believe the younger generation just wants to broaden their horizons and get some exercise every day.

As a result, apart from having a sudden breakthrough in his whip skills during a fight a few days ago, he hasn't made much progress since.

The ending is always pretty much the same.

She had assumed that once the young man realized the vast difference between them and had been rebuffed several times, he would give up and realize that he hadn't gained anything.

Unexpectedly, Qinghe Miao has been enjoying this immensely these past few days.

"It was very rewarding, really."

Qinghe Miao straightened up, taking advantage of the situation. Although his body was sore, he was full of energy.

After standing up, he turned around and naturally took Guan Shihua's arm, and together they walked towards the small house where she usually lived.

At the same time, he discreetly opened the system panel, which only he could see:

Name: Qing Hemiao

Race: Human

[Level: 9]

……

[Abilities: ...short whip manipulation (proficient), single drum playing (proficient), folk songs (fluent), Bai-style traditional Chinese medicine (proficient)]

[Techniques: Helper's Technique (Mastered), King Wen's Drum (Proficient), King Wu's Whip (Proficient)]

This is his biggest gain in the past month.

Although his experience points did not increase, with Guan Shihua's help, his proficiency in several martial arts techniques, such as "Helping Soldiers' Technique," "King Wen's Drum," and "King Wu's Whip," improved.

This also improved the broader ability to use weapons, such as the "short whip."

Not to mention, in his spare time he can also browse through some of the old books collected by Guan Shihua.

Among them were records about herbs, human meridians, folk medicine, and local customs, which allowed his "Bai-style Chinese medicine" and knowledge to slowly grow.

Chapter 23 Performing a Grand Opera

These improvements, if placed in the usual circumstances...

If Qing Hemiao were to practice diligently and quietly, it would probably take him a year and a half to reach his current level of proficiency in each skill.

Moreover, it may not be possible to promote multiple techniques simultaneously in such a comprehensive and efficient manner.

His master, Chai, was old and frail, and didn't have that level of skill; he couldn't do that kind of work every day.

For him, Guan Shihua was simply a huge dungeon to hone his skills.

As for the more profound and unique secrets of shamanic practices?

It wasn't that he didn't want to learn; firstly, he had temporarily refused the arrangement to "find another famous teacher," so Guan Shihua naturally couldn't overstep her bounds and teach him the core concepts.

Secondly, my time each day is already fully occupied, leaving me with no energy to explore anything else.

"It's good that there was some gain; the beating wasn't for nothing."

Seeing that his expression didn't seem feigned, Guan Shihua didn't press the matter further and let him help her back into the house to sit down on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed).

"In a bit, you can do the part from yesterday that ended later."

"Row."

Qinghe Miao placed the standard Martial King Whip belonging to Guan Shihua on the table beside him and casually replied.

His own Martial King Whip was lying quietly in the system's equipment slot.

It can be taken out and used at any time.

However, in order to conceal the existence of the system, he could not conjure weapons out of thin air, so he usually used the weapons stored here for sparring.

Fortunately, the main halls of shamanic shrines certainly don't lack such things.

He put down the whip, then turned around and picked up the Wenwang Drum that was placed on the other side of the kang (a heated brick bed).

This drum is more exquisite than Master Chai's; the drumhead is glossy, and the frame is carved with simple cloud patterns.

Qinghe Miao casually picked up the matching drumsticks and started striking them. The drumbeats were initially random, but they quickly became a light and humorous rhythm.

He cleared his throat, and in time with the drumbeats, he began to hum a tune in his clear, youthful voice, which also possessed a strangely mature charm:

"Prince Consort Chen, you tore up this petition! I'll ask you who it says: 'Qin Xianglian, thirty-two years old, suing her husband Chen Shimei, Chen Qiansui,' word for word..."

The song being sung is a scene from the classic Henan opera "The Case of Chen Shimei," where Bao Zheng questions Chen Shimei.

However, he did not sing in a completely traditional style, but rather subtly incorporated some of the more upbeat singing styles that have become popular on the internet in later generations.

It has less of a sense of sorrow and more of a playful and refreshing quality, giving it a unique flavor.

Guan Shihua heard this familiar yet novel singing style, and her fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on her knees in time with the drumbeats as she closed her eyes to rest.

Recover some of the energy depleted from the previous activity.

Clearly, the talents that Qinghe Miao has been performing during this period are very much to her liking.

Moreover, Qinghe Miao could vaguely sense it.

As his drumbeats and singing echoed in the quiet courtyard, faint wisps of "qi" seemed to emanate from the seemingly deserted houses around him.

Sure enough, once he opened his mouth, as long as he sang well, not only would people listen, but even ghosts and gods would come to listen.

Meanwhile, the proficiency of "slang tunes" and "single drum performance" on the system panel also quietly increased slightly while humming.

They practiced singing until almost noon.

Faint footsteps could be heard outside, and Qinghe Miao stopped the drumming and singing at just the right moment.

"Is it time to eat? It's time to rest for a while."

With a lingering expression, Guan Shihua suddenly said:

"By the way, Youcai should be back from down the mountain by now. Don't forget the proper etiquette before the meal."

"Yes, I remember."

Qinghe Miao nodded and put down the Wenwang Drum.

One of the daily routines of a shamanic disciple is to remember to make offerings to the deities even when eating at home.

This is basic etiquette and also a way to maintain contact with the deities.

He jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed), stretched his body, and greeted the Deng brothers, Deng Youcai and Deng Youfu, who walked in from outside the door.

The three of them then left the courtyard and went to the kitchen in the corner.

The chef in the kitchen had already prepared the food that had been specially set aside.

Some of the dishes were stir-fried or stewed vegetarian dishes, with distinct textures and bright colors, clearly indicating that they were of high quality.

Served in clean bowls and plates, the aroma was irresistible.

The other part consists of carefully prepared, normal food.

They carefully portioned the food into several insulated food containers to ensure that the flavors wouldn't mix.

Then, a person carrying one or two food boxes crossed the yard and arrived at the door of a large house that was clearly different from the other houses.

The exterior walls of the house appear even more ancient and imposing, with the doors and windows tightly closed, and few people usually come and go.

Deng Youcai stepped forward, took out a key, and unlocked the heavy copper lock on the front door. With a creak, he pushed open the heavy wooden door.

As soon as the door opened, a cool, lingering scent, a mixture of old wood, incense ash, and something indescribable, as if it had been accumulated over many years, rushed out.

The lights were off inside; only when the door opened did the light rush in, dispelling some of the darkness.

The interior space was exceptionally spacious, but the layout was simple, with only one entire side wall being fully utilized.

A row of fine, long altar tables were neatly arranged against the wall, covered with clean, dark tablecloths.

On the table, incense burners of different sizes and materials were arranged densely, filled with thick layers of incense ash.

Behind the incense burner are tiered, densely packed memorial tablets and statues of various shapes.

Memorial tablets are often made of high-quality wood or jade, and are engraved with ancient or modern names and honorific titles.

The statues range from kind and benevolent to majestic and awe-inspiring, and from bizarrely shaped to spiritually imbued with a sense of humanity, animal forms, and even some abstract totem forms.

This place is clearly a central incense hall where the lineage of shamans worships their ancestors, spirits, and various "immortals."

The expressions on the faces of the three people all became solemn.

It differs from the ancestral halls of other sects.

There are quite a few here. If you're in a bad mood, you can just walk down and give them a good slap.

It's better to be polite.

They first walked to the offering table, each picked up three incense sticks from the table, lit them over the ever-burning lamp, then stepped back a few steps and respectfully held the incense and bowed.

He bowed deeply, held the incense stick to his eyebrows, silently recited respectful words, and performed each movement with utmost care.

After completing the ritual, he stepped forward and carefully inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner, which was already filled with incense sticks. The smoke rose gently, blending into the air that was already filled with a faint fragrance.

Once this process is complete, it can be considered as expressing the most basic respect and greeting to all the deities.

The atmosphere relaxed a little.

The three of them began to open the food box, taking out the food one by one and placing it in different positions according to some kind of custom.

As Deng Youcai deftly set out the dishes, he chatted hushedly with Qing Hemiao beside him, a smile of admiration on his face.

"You're really good, kid. I've seen you make Grandma quite happy these past few days."

In the courtyard of this main hall, apart from his grandmother and this house full of 'spirits,' there's really nothing fun to do most of the time.

At most, there's an old TV and two laptops in his and his brother's rooms.

After playing for a long time, you'll inevitably get nagged by all sorts of people, including the spirits.

This made the two brothers unable to stay at home during their holidays, and they would often sneak down the mountain early in the morning to have fun.

But if you spend too much time playing at the foot of the mountain, you'll still inevitably get a scolding when you come back.

With Qinghe Miao there to divert attention, the two brothers could finally have some peace and quiet during their holiday.

Chapter 24 Food

Qinghe Miao smiled:

"Getting along with the elderly is actually quite simple, it just requires a lot of patience."

The two brothers, Deng Youcai and Deng Youfu, are only around twenty years old and still in college. They are at the age when they are full of vigor and love to have fun.

He stayed here for a while.

After getting to know them, I found that although they came from extraordinary backgrounds, they were straightforward and unpretentious.

Since everyone is young, we get along quite well.

"Youcai is right, it's been hard work for you, Xiaomiao."

Deng Youfu, who was standing nearby, curled his lip and said:

"When we have some free time in a while, my brother and I will take you down the mountain to have some fun with the latest trendy things."

He has not yet gone abroad to study.