Chapter 105: A Pity That Such a Set of Cultivation Techniques Is Wasted on Mundane Minds, Easily Distracted and Restless

In the stillness, one can see through the dusty paths of the mortal world; a single word can unravel the fundamental truth.

The old blind man finished speaking slowly, leaving Liu Yao’e utterly astonished.

Why was that?

Because all the intimate secrets of her chamber had been laid bare by this old blind man!

Though Liu Yao’e was naturally promiscuous and earned her living in the brothels of Brocade Alley, her skills in bed had attracted many patrons. While she might not recall all the others, she remembered clearly the matter of her virginity.

The old blind man’s words hit the mark. Liu Yue’e had lost her virginity at the age of fifteen.

That year, thieves invaded her home, making life unbearable. Her father, in desperation, sold his precious daughter for five taels of silver to work in Brocade Alley as a courtesan.

Liu Yue’e was briefly instructed by the madam in some basic bedroom arts and was marked with a virgin price tag of twenty taels of pure silver.

The madam was shrewd; though skilled in the arts of passion, she only taught Liu Yue’e some crude techniques.

Why so?

Simply put, which virgin would already possess such practiced skills?

And those who paid handsomely for a virgin were not to be trifled with. If a madam dared to fake a virgin’s blood, the buyer might well take her head.

Liu Yue’e was fortunate. Shortly after her virgin price was set, a regular client, Master Yao, purchased her.

That very night, Master Yao drank three flasks of strong wine to steel his nerves and claimed Liu Yue’e’s virginity.

From that moment, Liu Yue’e developed a taste she could not resist. With the madam’s teachings and her own experience, she gradually grew fond of her profession.

Bold as she was, after making a profit from the virgin price of twenty taels, Liu Yue’e conceived a devious plan: selling fake virgins.

What is a fake virgin?

It’s a trick of the trade. A bride must be a virgin, but some girls, unable to bear the loneliness of their chambers, might flirt with servants, fall for poor scholars, or even bed distant male relatives.

Family scandals must not be exposed, so an underworld method arose.

They would kill a pigeon to collect its blood, then place the blood inside a pig’s bladder, which was then positioned accordingly.

During intercourse, the bladder would be broken, releasing the pigeon’s blood and thus deceiving the groom. This was the so-called fake virgin.

Besides being licentious, Liu Yue’e was daring and a good actress. Her coquettish shyness when feigning virginity was so convincing that, together with the madam, they made a considerable profit from selling fake virgins.

After passing the age of tender youth, Liu Yue’e had no choice but to submit to the bed of Imperial Physician Zhang Shanshi, for that old scoundrel was skilled in the bedchamber arts and could satisfy her well enough.

Liu Yao’e’s father, overhearing all this, blushed deeply. To have his daughter’s loss of innocence so openly exposed on the street was hardly a matter of pride.

After the old blind man’s words, Liu Yao’e was surprised but also wary.

He not only predicted her misfortune but warned of a heavy cloud looming over her, threatening death.

Fearing this, Liu Yao’e hurriedly said, “Old immortal, I was blind not to recognize true worth before. Please don’t take offense.”

She then slipped into her courtesan persona, boldly grabbing the old man’s arm and rubbing her ample charms against it.

The old blind man calmly withdrew his arm without a word, while a young boy nearby looked on with disdain.

Embarrassed, Liu Yao’e smiled awkwardly, then quickly produced a two-tael silver piece, offering it respectfully. “Old immortal, consider this a token of thanks for your tea.”

The old blind man snorted coldly, refusing to take it. “Money to us cultivators is but dung.”

Liu Yao’e’s hand froze in mid-air, but the old man sighed and said, “Very well, since fate has brought us together, I will teach you a way to avert disaster.”

Hearing this, Liu Yao’e brightened and politely urged, “Please, old immortal, do guide me!”

The old blind man signaled her to come closer. She obediently leaned in.

In a low voice, he said, “Your fate is marked by violent death because you have not upheld the proper conduct of a woman and have squandered wealth recklessly. The little death spirits in the underworld’s court have already recorded your name. Before long, you shall perish on the spot.”

Fear seized Liu Yao’e; her soul seemed to flee. Her previous husband had just died, she had remarried, and reckless spending was her usual habit. As for proper conduct—she hardly knew what that meant.

Seeing her ashen face, the old blind man continued calmly, “The best course now is to lose wealth to dissipate disaster. You must gather your valuables and present them at the City God’s temple. As the saying goes, money can move ghosts and demons. Perhaps the City God can restrain the little spirits and save your life.”

Liu Yao’e trusted him and asked anxiously, “Old immortal, how much should I offer?”

The old blind man pondered and replied gravely, “Sincerity is the key.”

Though subtle, Liu Yao’e, familiar with the ways of the pleasure quarters, understood the implication: the more money, the better.

Then suddenly, the old blind man lowered his voice and, without warning, said, “For the next two days, you must keep a pure heart and abstain from all sexual activity.”

Liu Yao’e frowned, “And after two days?”

The old man said nothing further, turning and departing with the young boy.

Without hesitation, Liu Yao’e rushed home, packed her gold and silver, and prepared to take them to the City God’s temple.

Just then, her lover arrived. Being lustful by nature, she was quickly overcome by desire, and they made love again.

Only afterward did she remember to bring the money to the temple.

Walking along the official road, a horse-drawn carriage suddenly panicked. A tall horse broke free and charged straight toward Liu Yao’e.

Having just made love, her legs were weak and she could not evade. She was struck and killed on the spot, her valuables scattered across the ground.

...

As the carousel of life spun to its end, the memories of the body were recorded in the Soul Guide.

“Return, soul, return,” it beckoned, “Enter the record.”

Heaven and earth, black and yellow, four levels and nine ranks.

The Soul Guide appraised the body: Third Rank, Yellow Character.

A painting of spring palace ladies was displayed, garments unraveling with gilt powder; the artwork arranged upon cushions. The pure maidens were my teachers, their grace filling all directions.

Song Mo sat cross-legged on a mat. In the ancient painting, several enchanting young women clad in sheer veils whispered and played by his ear, their slender hands teasing endlessly...

The bell struck the fifth watch; the thick fog dispersed.

Song Mo slowly opened his eyes. The bewitching maidens vanished; the spring palace painting transformed into points of golden light, which then abruptly shifted and took the shape of Tang Yi...

“Phew, almost caught by the spell. What a pity about that meditation technique,” Song Mo sighed quietly as distracting thoughts drifted away on the wind...

...

At the City God’s temple to the east of the city, the morning sun gilded the scene, and autumn winds scattered the incense ashes on the ground.

A boy picked up a fallen branch and began knocking at sparrows beneath the eaves.

The old blind man frowned for a long moment before relaxing and said, “It seems that girl ultimately perished in debauchery...”