Chapter 303 The Book of the Rivers and Lakes, Great Achievements, The River Styx Exists, One Can Enter the Underworld

A quarter of an hour after the flower boat left the harbor, white fog surged in from all directions, obscuring north from south and east from west, turning the surrounding scenery into a hazy blur. Li Xian, skilled in the "Five Elements Mystic Escape," knew that this fog was a miasma.

It is the "Hun Tian Misty Mist" deep within Dongran Lake, a unique phenomenon in the lake region that has evolved over time. Yan Hao used the Five Elements Mystic Escape Technique to draw it here, enveloping the area around the water altar as the first layer of protective barrier for the island.

The layman sees the spectacle, the expert sees the intricacies. Li Xian, having established the foundation of the Five Elements, observed the enigmatic situation in the lake again. Although he couldn't solve it, he could discern its origins. Standing on the deck, gazing at the lake, he remarked, "What an ingenious arrangement."

The lake contains several completely different currents. Following each current yields different results. Some may mean circling back and forth, some may encounter hidden reefs, and some may bypass the water troughs to reach the deeper parts of Dongran Lake.

Yan Hao used islands in the water to alter the direction of the current; everything in the world could be used as a trap. After sailing for half an hour, Li Xian experienced more than ten different perilous and mysterious situations.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

...

[Minor Five Elements Mystic Escape]

[Proficiency: 67/100]

Li Xian possesses the ability to "observe heaven and earth," making his observations of the world more vivid and clear. There's a saying: "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles." Both "reading ten thousand books" and "traveling ten thousand miles" have their merits. Reading clarifies principles, while traveling reveals worldly wisdom. But neither is as rich in content as first reading ten thousand books and then traveling ten thousand miles. Li Xian had previously studied the "Minor Five Elements Mystic Escape," and now he observes the rare Five Elements trapping formation in the world.

The harvest was plentiful.

Far surpassing Yan Hao's oral instruction. The speed of his progress exceeded Yan Hao's expectations. Unbeknownst to him, he saw the sky darken and was completely bewildered. His proficiency in the Minor Five Elements Escape Technique had reached [70].

Li Xian snapped out of his reverie and gazed back at the waterway he had come from. He had missed Nangong Liuli dearly since their first parting. He closed his eyes and sensed her presence; his hair took root… through the strands of hair in the courtyard, he could vaguely make out Nangong Liuli's graceful figure.

"A man's ambition lies in all corners of the world, and I must become stronger to help Sister Liuli escape this predicament. What does a temporary separation matter?"

Li Xianju lived on the second floor; his bedroom was three zhang wide and three zhang long… the space was quite spacious. The lake rippled gently, causing the boat to rock.

He simply fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up naturally, sat cross-legged, and began to circulate the toxins from my internal organs. The toxins from the heart, lungs, kidneys... all these toxins circulated together, bringing immeasurable benefits.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

The Five Internal Organs' ability to expel turbidity and harmonize with Yang became increasingly profound. Around Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Li Xian opened the boat window and gazed at the strange scenery on the lake. White mist swirled around him, and even with his double pupils, he could hardly see any further.

The mountains and rivers, like an invisible curtain, obscure our vision.

Flying Dragon City is located in the southeastern region of Huaiyin Prefecture. It can be seen on the map of the Great Wu Dynasty as a second-tier city. Li Xian has experienced many things, been to dangerous places and survived life-or-death situations, but has never entered a truly large city, so he can't help but feel curious and expectant.

Suppressing his emotions, he silently practiced internal exercises.

It was noon. A servant brought over dishes, including "Fish Soup with Oil," "White Jade Grapes," and "Fresh Peach Blossom Wine"... Li Xian enjoyed the lake view and savored the delicacies.

After a hearty meal, they went to the deck to keep watch. The sails whirred in the wind, and the ship moved quite quickly. Li Xian had heard Yan Hao say that elders such as Ye Cheng, Han Zisha, and An Weicheng would be leaving the island one after another. The ferryman, Jin Shichang, was quite busy, hence the ship's hurried pace.

On the deck, ordinary followers were arranging formations and practicing battle formations.

The Flower Cage Sect specializes in array formations, which is a wise move to leverage its strengths. The Flower Cage Sect's rules and regulations differ from those of ordinary sects. Furthermore, most of its members come from humble backgrounds, and their martial arts talents vary widely. Only through array formations can they mitigate their weaknesses.

He observed silently. He deeply felt that each Flower Cage Sect disciple was quite weak in strength. However, when they formed a formation, they were extremely difficult to deal with. Just like the "Five Elements Flower Covering Formation" being practiced on the deck at this moment.

The formation consists of five people. Each person holds a cloth bag, which is specially made of tough material that is resistant to water and fire. It can also be disassembled and transformed. Twisting the bag turns it into a short whip. Unfolding the bag reveals it as a blanket, a cover, and other weapons.

The five men covered themselves with cloth bags, forming round balls that rolled around like five fleshy spheres. If caught in a formation, their agility and maneuverability made them a formidable and difficult opponent.

Suddenly, five men reached into their cloth bags. Each pulled out weapons and concealed darts, including knives, guns, swords, clubs, and throwing knives. They used various formations to fight, capture, and harass, their tactics constantly changing and difficult to predict.

Suddenly, they changed tactics, simultaneously throwing out their cloth bags. The bags' threads scattered into a shower of wires, intertwining and connecting, instantly binding the men on the spot. The five men moved according to a specific footwork. The wires either strangled or bound their enemies…

This formation is incredibly ingenious. It's difficult for an outsider to fully grasp its power; only by being inside it can one truly understand its magnificence.

Moreover, all five of them can play the "Thunderous Chest Drum." Covering a person with a cloth bag and using the Thunderous Chest Drum to defend against or intimidate enemies... there are hundreds of ingenious applications.

"Martial artists... do not necessarily have to fight alone. No matter how powerful a martial artist is, if they are surrounded and killed by an array, they may also be in danger. Arrays and martial arts are actually not fundamentally different. They are both obtained by comprehending the world. This Five Elements Flower Covering Array contains the comprehending the five elements of the world and the combination of the five elements' escape techniques."

Li Xian couldn't help but ponder: "My mastery of the Five Elements Mystic Arts has already shown some promise. If I were trapped within this formation, could I break through it by combining the Five Elements Mystic Arts with my understanding of martial arts?"

As he observed, he pondered a way to break the formation. He realized that pure martial arts would be insufficient to break it. This was because the five figures were agile, constantly changing their formation, and never engaged in direct combat. Moreover… the formation contained a sense of “five elements transformation.”

Martial arts are derived from the insights gained from heaven and earth. The application of martial arts is not merely about fists and feet, but also an evolution of those insights. However, the sensation of "five elements shifting" within formations can disrupt this evolution. Martial arts techniques, their power, and internal energy will naturally be diminished.

After observing for a moment, Li Xian had already devised a plan to break the formation. It required a combination of martial arts and the Five Elements Escape Technique, first adhering to its principles, and then breaking through its defenses. He deeply felt that his recent learning had not been in vain. Martial artists have long lifespans, and should therefore be even more learned and proficient.

The lake was calm and undisturbed.

Li Xian gazed at the lake in the distance. Suddenly, he saw the boat enter a dark area of ​​water, faintly exuding a chilling aura. This was the "Frozen Waters," where the water was extremely cold. Dongran Lake was vast, and strange water features were often found there. Some concealed danger, while others hid treasures.

Tang Feng came to the deck, saw the dark water, and shouted "Excellent!" He immediately ordered his men to cast iron nets to catch fish and animals in the lake. The water here was cold and murky, breeding "Cold-Hearted Strange Fish."

This fish is used in traditional Chinese medicine. When boiled into a paste, it can heal burns and protect against intense boiling. It is quite valuable. Whenever a flower boat passes through this area, it casts a large net to catch fish along the way and sell them elsewhere.

Tang Feng laughed, "Brother Hua, come on, lend a hand!" Tang Feng personally took an iron net and threw it forcefully into the lake. The iron net spread out in the air, and sank very quickly the moment it hit the lake.

Tang Feng flicked his wrist. With each flick, the lake surface trembled, rippling with tiny waves. He channeled the "Thousand-Jin Celestial Melody" from within his body, transmitting it through his hand to the iron net. The net then became as heavy as a thousand jin (a unit of weight), rapidly sinking into the water and trapping the fish and beasts within.

His net was extremely heavy because there were too many fish and beasts in it. Li Xian flashed to his side, grabbed the rope of the iron net, twisted his arm to wrap the rope around his arm, and then pulled hard.

Water splashed everywhere.

Thousands upon thousands of chilling, strange fish were pulled from the water and scattered on the deck. Tang Feng exclaimed, "What immense strength!" His eyes widened. Physical strength and internal energy... both are manifestations of power. However, there are subtle differences. Physical strength refers to the force exerted solely by the physical body; it dissipates once it leaves the body and is difficult to sustain. Yet, lifting heavy objects, moving stones, and unloading heavy loads are much easier. Moreover, in close combat, a strong physical strength provides an invisible advantage.

The profound inner energy is even more mysterious, originating from the inner energy itself. Before the first transformation of the Qi Lake, it is difficult to distinguish from the pure physical energy. Later, as martial arts progress and understanding deepens, the Qi Lake undergoes a second and third transformation... The inner energy adapts to the natural world and gradually becomes able to remain in the external world. The distinction between the profound inner energy and the "pure physical energy" gradually becomes clearer.

Internal Qi and profound power can remain continuously in a state of pure emptiness. As martial arts evolve, they reveal many unique effects. When the two powers reinforce each other, they can unleash considerable power. They are often used simultaneously.

If the two martial artists were to simply compete in terms of strength, the one with greater physical power would have the advantage. Therefore, in this moment of tightening the net, Li Xian, with his greater physical strength, had the upper hand. His slight display of skill shocked Tang Feng.

Dozens of disciples on the pleasure boat vied to cast their fishing nets, trying to catch as many of the chilling, exotic fish as possible. Li Xian also wanted to use an iron net; with each throw and pull, the lake surface rumbled and splashed... being battered and ravaged.

With one pull, he cast a large net. The fish and animals on the deck piled up to his calves. But the pleasure boats did not stop operating and quickly passed through the area. Jin Shichang was in charge of the shipping and was very busy, especially with many pleasure boats going out recently. Therefore, there was no time to waste, and everything was done quickly and urgently.

Kong Yu, He Wangfu, and Wei Ze, the three disciples of the printing school, harbored resentment towards Li Xianben. However, seeing his immense strength and unparalleled power, they exchanged glances and dared not utter another word.

Tang Feng made a fortune and was overjoyed. He stored it all in the ship's hold.

That evening, a banquet was held on board, featuring several delicious dishes. Two more days passed, and the setting sun shone brightly. They had already left the Shuitan area. Jin Shichang boarded a smaller boat and headed back.

Sailing at full speed... it should take about three or four days to reach the vicinity of the Water Altar. Last time, when Li Xian rode on Ye Cheng's flower boat, it took more than ten days to reach the Water Altar. Firstly, Ye Cheng was being pursued and was not in a hurry to enter the island, but stayed outside to observe the situation. Secondly, Ye Cheng and Jin Shichang drank and made merry every night, and Jin Shichang was drunk every day, so he rarely took the helm.

Li Xian stood at the bow of the boat, stretching out his arms and body. A refreshing lake breeze blew in his face, bringing him indescribable joy. He murmured, "Finally, we're off the island." He thought that if he could find an opportunity to leave now and seek another way, he could escape all this noise and triviality.

But thinking of Nangong Liuli, if he couldn't properly settle her affairs, Li Xian's heart remained uneasy about fleeing far away. Li Xian raised an eyebrow, thinking:

"So what if he's a notorious flower thief? A flower thief is a flower thief, and a bad reputation is a bad reputation."

It exudes an innate, almost sinister aura. As long as one adheres to one's principles, the insults, slander, and incomprehensible jealousy of others will all pass by like fleeting clouds. Why bother caring too much?

Tang Feng had a map of the lake. Following the map, they sailed out of the lake, and after about another day, the flower boat docked. Tang Feng said, "Everyone, get out and stretch your legs. We'll gather here again in two days."

The disciples of the Flower Cage scattered in all directions. Tang Feng was on a mission to the island, and his ship was equipped with fish, bees, wine and other goods. The flower boat was disguised as a merchant ship, and in reality, it was indeed used for trade.

He needed to network and find a way to sell some of his stock, especially the piled-up fish, as soon as possible. He disbanded his disciples to facilitate the sale of the Coldhearted Strange Fish over the next two days. His destination was Flying Dragon City, and the remaining journey involved nearly a thousand miles of water travel. He would maximize his profits along this route.

They buy local produce at low prices and then transport it elsewhere to sell at higher prices. A single pleasure boat generates a continuous stream of profits.

Li Xian sighed, "If you're not shrewd, you really can't become a martial artist." He then disembarked to stretch his legs.

This place is located in Huaiyin Prefecture, Huai'an County. It can be considered a rich water town with many waterways. Li Xian walked slowly along a waterway and soon came to a village. Looking around, the paddy fields were neatly arranged, and farmers were working diligently in the fields.

The water town is rich and prosperous...

Li Xian thought to himself, "In previous years, by this time, the poor land of Tianfu would already be covered in heavy snow. Here, it still feels like springtime, except for the slightly cool climate. It truly deserves to be called a land of abundance."

Dongran Lake is quite mysterious. Its existence influences the surrounding climate, making the seasons less distinct. Li Xian wandered aimlessly during his leisure time. In a daze, he arrived at the fields, exchanging ideas with farmers about farming. He then entered a village, playing with the children.

Spend the day leisurely like this. Sleep by fire in the wild at night. The next morning, wander around the nearby towns. Although Peach Blossom Town is peaceful and serene, it is quite small in scale.

The town was bustling with activity, teeming with people, and filled with the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life. Horse-drawn carriages and oxcarts were a common sight on the streets. Every now and then, wealthy young men would ride by in their luxurious carriages, their expressions haughty and arrogant.

Li Xian encountered He Wangfu, a disciple of the Printing Department. He was sitting in a restaurant, his arms around a beautiful woman, indulging in pleasure. The two exchanged a glance, nodded slightly, and then parted ways.

Li Xian carried over forty taels of silver with him on this trip, enough for ordinary shopping. He first went to a local restaurant for a meal, and after eating and drinking his fill, he went to the black market to hunt for goods.

The black market was located on the west side of town, in a rather dimly lit area. It was bustling with a diverse crowd, and the stalls were rudimentary: a coarse cloth spread on the ground, upon which goods were displayed. There were herbs for sale, fragments of martial arts manuals, and various other odds and ends…

Whenever Li Xian saw a fragment of a martial arts manual, he would always take a look. The shopkeeper would invariably boast wildly, praising Li Xian's keen eye for such a divine skill manual. He would claim that if Li Xian bought it and diligently practiced it, he would one day be invincible and win the heart of a beautiful woman, and so on.

When Li Xian asked about the price, the shopkeeper immediately started shouting out exorbitant prices, asking for hundreds or even thousands of taels. If Li Xian wanted to leave, the shopkeeper quickly lowered the price, offering to sell it for tens or even just ten taels.

The black market is a mixed bag, naturally teeming with swindlers. But there are also a few peculiar things. In a corner of the black market, an old blind man shakes his head and mutters strange words.

Li Xian walked up to the stall and asked, "Old man, what did you buy?" He then picked up the only tattered book on the stall and examined it.

The old blind man said, "Young hero, see for yourself; it's on the book cover." Li Xian read aloud the three words on the book cover: "Pulse-Pinching Hand?"

The old blind man shook his head and said, "It's the Kan pulse-pinching technique." A corner of the tattered book was damaged, and the character "Kan" was no longer visible.

Li Xian thought to himself that he already possessed many martial arts skills, but still needed time to hone them. Whether this pulse-pinching hand technique was real or fake, he didn't need to worry about it anymore. But purely out of curiosity, he casually asked, "What secrets does this pulse-pinching hand technique hold?"

The old blind man clapped his hands and said, "Young hero, you've come to the right person. This 'pinching pulse' technique... is not a martial art."

Li Xianshi became interested and asked, "What is that?" The old blind man stroked his beard and laughed, "It seems that I have met a kindred spirit today."

Li Xian laughed and said, "Old man, don't try to scam me. I'm just looking, I might not buy it." Upon hearing the words "destined person," he immediately thought of a "sucker."

The old blind man shook his head and laughed, “I have sat here for thirty-four days and have seen 1,264 visitors. Those who have spoken with me have all turned and left as soon as I told them that this book is not about martial arts. The fact that you have stayed means that you are not lacking in martial arts knowledge. You have come to the black market with a detached mind, not to pick up bargains or seek cheap deals.”

Li Xian laughed and said, "That's not necessarily true. If there's a good deal, would I refuse?" The old blind man laughed even more and said, "Good, good. You're quite magnanimous."

Li Xian said, "Old man, you still haven't told me what this 'Kan Nie Mai Shou' is?" The old blind man said, "Young hero, why don't you guess?"

Li Xian pondered for a moment and said, "Generally, if a book cover has the word 'pulse' on it, it must refer to the meridians. If it is martial arts, it should be the method of capturing people by taking their pulse. If it is not martial arts... then it refers to the method of pulse diagnosis, which is related to medicine."

He added, "But it doesn't look like it to me. Please, sir, speak frankly."

The old blind man chuckled and said, "This pulse-pinching hand technique is indeed used for pinching the pulse. But it doesn't pinch the person's pulse, but rather the blood vessels."

Li Xian was taken aback, thinking, "River veins? The Great Wu Dynasty has numerous and complex river veins, and no one has been able to unify them all. What's the point of this 'river veins' nonsense? Is this old man deliberately trying to trick me?"

The old blind man shook his head and said, "In ancient times, there was a scholar named Zhang Zhisong who wanted to regulate the rivers of the world and compile them into a book called the River Book. If this were to succeed, do you know the significance of it?"

Li Xian said with a sigh, "If they were ordinary people, living in a remote place, the rivers and streams of the world would have little to do with them. But if we look at the entire dynasty, all the rivers and streams of the world are recorded in the book and will have a unified name from then on. The dynasty... will surely become stronger than ever before."

“Maritime transport, cultural exchange, and even local control.”

The old blind man was slightly taken aback: "Good young hero, your vision and perspective are truly remarkable. Indeed, if the 'River Book' were to be created, it would not only provide a complete understanding of the world's river systems, but also qualify you to dominate the world. Wherever there is water, life would be perpetual."

"If you were to command troops, you could move them from the river with unpredictable speed and skill, and your military prowess would be unparalleled. You should understand the implications of this."

Li Xian nodded secretly, then smiled and said, "Unfortunately, I have no intention of vying for supremacy." He added, "Besides, how can a poor boy like me concern myself with the affairs of the world?"

The old blind man said, "Zhang Zhisong is just too worried. He was born in a chaotic era and witnessed all the fighting in the world. He rose from poverty to gain a bit of luck."

"He wished to use his tattoos to help the world and end the chaos. So he was determined to compile the River Book. If the River Book is completed, it will be a great event that will shake the world and solidify the dynasty's fortune. The dynasty can then take a breather and develop."

"At that time, waterways will be readily accessible, and goods will flow freely between different regions, ushering in an era of lasting peace. The people will prosper, the dynasty will naturally become strong, and powerful families in various regions will also benefit. Furthermore, with the help of the River Records, the dynasty can restore order and restore order, thus ushering in another prosperous and peaceful era!"

Li Xian was deeply shocked. He hadn't expected to hear such profound insights in such a small black market, and he was filled with admiration, no longer doubting its authenticity. He exclaimed, "This Zhang Zhisong is truly an extraordinary person."

The old blind man said, "It's a pity he didn't succeed. He only completed half of the River Book, and this Kan Nie Mai Hand Manual was written by Zhang Zhisong based on his experience when he first touched the River Veins."

"By tracing the river's veins, one can predict the river's flow and direction, the condition of the riverbed, the fish and animals in the river, and the vegetation on both banks... If this is combined with the skill of feng shui, then no matter how vast the world is, one can reach it all by a single river."

Li Xian deeply agreed. Back when he and Wen Caishang were besieged, if they had obtained the River Book, and with the river's winding, complex course, it would have been extremely difficult for Zhang Hu, Su Qiuwu, and the others to find it. Moreover, many waterways were interconnected, flowing from small streams into large rivers, and from large rivers into small streams.

Whether it's troop deployment for dominance or trade and barter, it possesses a tremendous advantage.

The old blind man continued, "Furthermore... a martial artist's martial arts are derived from the heavens and earth. If there truly is a River Book in the world, one could comprehend even a small part of the martial arts from it, and one's abilities would be unimaginable."

Li Xian said, "That's right!"

The old blind man chuckled, "So, young hero, would you like this book on pulse diagnosis?" Li Xianxin was curious and asked about the price.

The old blind man made an outrageous demand, asking for three thousand taels of silver. Li Xian's face twitched. Although he sensed the old blind man's profound knowledge, he doubted the truth of his words. Three thousand taels of silver was simply too much for him to come up with.

The old blind man said again, "That's enough, that's enough. No matter how good something is, if it can't be sold, it's worthless. You've been fortunate enough to have this book, so I'll sell it to you for thirty-nine taels and four hundred and ninety-seven coins."

Li Xian felt his cloth bag. The remaining money was exactly thirty-nine taels and four hundred and ninety-seven coins. Li Xian asked suspiciously, "Old man, are you really blind?"

He deeply felt that the old blind man was no ordinary person. However, he was easygoing and did not seek a deeper understanding. So he did not press the matter and readily paid for the book. He thought to himself, "If what the old blind man said is true, the Book of Kan Nie Mai is not an exaggeration, but the Book of He is of great significance."

“Even someone as learned as you, Madam, is helpless and at a loss when it comes to the complex waterways of the Great Wu Dynasty… no, to the Qiongtianfu and Huashuifu. If I can further my studies in this field, I will have a skill that will allow me to surpass you first.”

The martial arts of the world... cannot exist without precious materials, and precious materials cannot exist without the two words "water" and "charcoal." Or rather, they cannot exist without the two words "water" and "fire." From streams and small rivers to ordinary farmers, every time irrigation season comes, they fight and vie for them. From great rivers to large rivers, the families and powers along the river also fight and vie for them.

Warriors find it hard to live without water.

Water is also the origin of martial arts.

So-called martial arts families are no different from ordinary villagers. All they do is fight for water and land.

...

...

Kan Nie Mai Shou is a miscellaneous book. It records the principles of geomancy and landscape, involving feng shui, the five elements, and even human stories. It can be read with great interest, even if treated as a collection of stories.

Li Xian held the book in his hands, and after flipping through a few pages, he felt that the money spent was well worth it. This book on pulse diagnosis was an early work by Zhang Zhisong. The first few pages showed that he was a novice with very little experience, but his considerable knowledge was already evident.

"Who is this Zhang Zhisong, and what dynasty is he from? If I meet you in the future, I will ask you about it."

He read it carefully. Further on, he learned about Zhang Zhisong's unique techniques of "reading the river," "asking the river," and "shaping the river." Li Xian read it briefly but couldn't grasp its essence for the time being.

He continued looking back. One sentence particularly struck him: "There is a River Styx in the world, which connects to the netherworld."

(End of this chapter)