Under One Person: The Taoist Priest Descends the Mountain

Xia He, leaning on the table with her elbow and chin in hand, looked around with bright eyes and suddenly asked, "Uncle Hua, besides delivering packages, does your courier company also catch bad guys?"

Lin Wei chuckled: "Delivering packages is our main job! Otherwise, how could we maintain such a large operation? But..."

She lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously, "Some special matters require us in special positions to handle them. Occasionally, like today, we cooperate with the police to deal with matters involving the supernatural community."

Tang Yong said in a deep voice, "Dealing with extraordinary people is more dangerous than delivering a package. Those who dare to make a move in broad daylight usually have something to rely on. You guys were lucky this time."

Cheng Mo smiled faintly and did not refute, "Brother Tang is right."

Xia He muttered, "Anyway, we caught them."

Just as the situation became slightly awkward, the waiter came to serve the food.

Hua Feng chuckled and poured wine for those who could drink, while he, Cheng Mo, and Xia He substituted tea for wine.

"Come, the first cup, to welcome Master Cheng and Miss Xia, and to thank you both for your help today." Hua Feng raised his cup.

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together.

During the meal, He Guangping shared his experiences traveling, Tang Yong added some points to note regarding southern Shaanxi, and Lin Wei shared many interesting anecdotes from her work. Hua Feng occasionally steered the conversation or offered a few pointers, making the atmosphere increasingly harmonious.

"Where does Xiao Cheng plan to go next?" Hua Feng asked.

"I plan to head south to Guizhou. I've heard there are many different schools of thought and supernatural beings there. I'd like to see for myself and maybe find a way to trigger my Qi connection," Cheng Mo replied.

"Guizhou..." Hua Feng nodded slightly. "The schools of thought there are ancient and diverse, worth seeing, but many villages have strict rules and taboos, and are quite xenophobic towards outsiders. Remember: respect customs, keep a low profile, observe and listen more, and speak less."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Xia He and reminded her, "Especially Miss Xia, you should be more careful in everything you do."

Xia He asked, puzzled, "Why should I pay more attention?"

Hua Feng chuckled and shook his head: "The remote villages in Guizhou are traditionally closed off, and they are more wary of people with large differences in appearance. You... are too conspicuous and easily attract attention. If you accidentally break a taboo and cause trouble, it will be a loss."

He looked at Cheng Mo, "Xiao Cheng, be more composed and keep an eye on things."

Cheng Mo smiled and nodded, but didn't respond.

Xia He muttered to herself, "They just think I'm too pretty."

Hua Feng said no more, and instead said, "If you really encounter trouble involving supernatural beings, you can contact the local All-in-One Network branch. Hao Yi, the person in charge in the southwest, is someone I know well. I'll put in a good word and ask him to look after you. However..." He smiled, "Don't bother him with small matters."

This statement is straightforward, yet it also leaves room for interpretation.

Cheng Mo accepted the favor by offering tea: "Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Hua. I will remember it."

Hua Feng chuckled and raised his glass: "You young people are so adventurous, of course we old folks will lend a hand if we can."

Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together...

After the meal, Hua Feng gave the two final instructions to be careful and stay in touch.

Tang Yong and Lin Wei also said that people could contact them if they needed anything in southern Shaanxi.

After saying goodbye to Hua Feng and the others, Xia He stretched and said, "Eating in the circle of supernatural beings is pretty much the same as my parents' social engagements. It's not very interesting."

Cheng Mo walked slowly down the street with his hands in his pockets: "Even extraordinary people are human. As human beings, they have human relationships and social obligations. It's the same everywhere."

Xia He turned her head to look at him: "Little Taoist, you won't become so boring in the future, will you? You seemed quite talkative just now."

Cheng Mo glanced at her sideways: "I'm doing this to help you, okay? Otherwise, you'd offend someone with just a few words, and you'd expect them to look after you in the future?"

"Hmph~" Xia He pouted, "You're the one who's the most annoying when you talk."

Even so, a smile quietly crept onto her lips, her mood as beautiful as the sunshine in the sky.

The two went to the long-distance bus station first, but the bus from Ankang to Qianyang wouldn't be available until tomorrow.

Cheng Mo decisively changed his route to the train station, and upon asking, he found that there was a train that would arrive in a little over an hour.

At the ticket window, Cheng Mo glanced at the timetable: "Hard seat tickets are less common than sleeper tickets, and..."

"A sleeper berth! It has to be a sleeper berth!" Xia He leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. "It's over twenty hours! Wouldn't we be exhausted sitting in a hard seat?"

Cheng Mo's lips twitched: "You really know how to enjoy yourself." But he still took out his money and bought two sleeper tickets.

Upon taking the tickets, I noticed that the two people were on the same side, one above the other.

"I want the lower bunk!" Xia He snatched the ticket with lightning speed. "I can't climb up there~"

Cheng Mo: "...You were quite efficient when you rolled down the car window."

"That's different!" Xia He said confidently.

With some time before departure, the station was stuffy and noisy, so the two took a walk around the outer perimeter of the station.

As Cheng Mo walked, he suddenly felt that someone was watching him.

Turning her head, she saw several young people who were with her staring at them. The group included both men and women, and they looked like students. Two of the boys had their eyes practically glued to Xia He; one of them was so engrossed in watching that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going—

"Ouch!"

The boy lost his footing and fell straight into the flower bed by the roadside!

"Li Ming! Are you alright?"

"Why aren't you watching where you're going?!"

The others scrambled to pull him out of the flowerbed. The boy's face was flushed, and he kept brushing the dirt off his body while stealing glances at Xia He.

Cheng Mo smirked, "Being with you, we're practically turning heads everywhere we go."

Xia He looked bewildered: "What do you mean by 'turnaround rate'?"

Cheng Mo raised his finger and pointed ahead—just then, a few more people passed by, frequently turning back to look at them, or more precisely, at Xia He. Occasionally, a few gazes fell on Cheng Mo, their eyes filled with jealousy.

Xia He instantly understood, hands on her hips, chin raised: "Hehehe~ My charm is irresistible~" She turned to the side, her long pink hair shimmering softly, "You'll get used to it~"

Cheng Mo didn't reply, pondering: Xia He's appearance was already extremely outstanding, and with the unconscious release of her innate superpower, she was indeed incredibly charming.

However, if she could completely conceal her innate abilities, she wouldn't attract too much attention—after all, with 1.3 billion people in China, beautiful women are not uncommon, and as long as she doesn't flaunt them too much, it won't have much impact on her daily life.

Thinking of this, Cheng Mo suddenly spoke up: "Why don't you practice martial arts with me?"

Xia He was taken aback: "What kind of kung fu?"

"The Eight-Section Brocade and Vajra Longevity Exercise that I usually practice," Cheng Mo said earnestly, "are all very orthodox Taoist internal alchemy exercises, cultivating both body and mind. Long-term practice can enhance your control over your own Qi."

Xia He's eyes lit up: "Does your sect allow this to be shared outside?"

"What's the big deal?" Cheng Mo waved his hand. "Some time ago, people from the General Administration of Sport came to consult my master, wanting to simplify these internal alchemy exercises and transform them into gymnastics that everyone can practice. My master said that the Great Way is impartial, and being able to strengthen the body is a meritorious deed."

"Then teach me quickly, teach me quickly~~" Xia He immediately grabbed his arm and shook it, looking very expectant.

A blur of white light filled his vision, making Cheng Mo a little dizzy: "Alright, alright, I'll teach you now. I've been slacking off since we came down the mountain, let's find a place to practice."

The two found a small park next to the train station. It was shaded by green trees and not crowded. There were only a few elderly people taking a walk and practicing Tai Chi.

Cheng Mo chose a flat open space and stood still: "I'll teach you the Eight Pieces of Brocade first. There are eight movements in total, coordinated with your breathing. Follow along with me and pay attention to the details of the movements."

"Mmm!" Xia He stood up straight, mimicking his posture, looking very serious.

"Holding up the sky with both hands regulates the three jiaos." Cheng Mo slowly raised his hands, palms facing upwards, as if supporting a thousand-pound weight. "The movements must be slow and steady. Inhale as you raise your hands, exhale as you press them down."

Xia He followed along and learned very quickly.

"Drawing the bow with both hands as if shooting an eagle."

"To regulate the spleen and stomach, one must lift one arm."

"Look back to avoid the five strains and seven injuries."

……

Cheng Mo demonstrated the movements while explaining, and occasionally corrected Xia He's posture: "Keep your waist straight, relax your shoulders... Yes, breathe deeply and evenly."

After finishing a set of Eight Pieces of Brocade exercises, Xia He had fine beads of sweat on her forehead and her cheeks were flushed.

Cheng Mo looked her up and down: "Your movements are basically correct. What do you think?"

Xia He thought for a moment, then tilted her head and said, "It feels like... the Qi flows more smoothly in my body?" She was a little unsure. "Is there a specific path for circulating Qi? I feel like when I coordinate my movements with my breathing, the Qi seems to be moving along a fixed route."

Cheng Mo: "..."

He opened his mouth, then closed it again, his expression somewhat complicated.