Chapter Sixteen: Purchasing Human Skin, Meditating on the Moon

The woman was none other than Zhuo Qing. As for the short-haired Daoist holding a fish, Ying Chen had never met him before.

When Ying Chen entered the courtyard, the man was speaking, and though Zhuo Qing wore a gentle smile, she seldom responded. Yet, upon seeing Ying Chen arrive, her eyes lit up instantly, and she rose to greet him, calling out, "Senior Brother Ying," and hurried forward to meet him. She paid no mind to the young Daoist, leaving him awkwardly rooted in place, feigning indifference.

Observing this, Ying Chen remained expressionless and merely asked, "Junior Sister, are you entertaining a guest?"

Zhuo Qing glanced back at the young Daoist, her brows slightly furrowed. "Junior Brother, I cannot accept your Hundred Flowers Fish... You should take it back."

The young Daoist was about to protest, but seeing Zhuo Qing's clear intent to send him away, he could only reply dejectedly, "In that case, I shall take my leave." He walked a few steps towards the exit, then suddenly returned, unwilling to give up. "Senior Sister, this Hundred Flowers Fish is truly a rare delicacy. You must taste it."

With these words, fearing Zhuo Qing would refuse, he hung the large fish on the courtyard wall and hurried away as if fleeing.

"This..." Ying Chen was momentarily speechless. "Junior Sister Zhuo, what is this about?"

"He claims that this Hundred Flowers Fish was carefully cultivated, raised in the dew of a hundred flowers, fed with refined medicinal grains, and is a delicacy beyond compare," Zhuo Qing replied with a smile. "Whether that's true, I cannot say, but he is rather thick-headed. Who tries to win a woman's favor like this? If he wishes me to taste a delicacy, why not set a proper table? Instead, he simply delivers a fish..."

"I see." Ying Chen dismissed the matter, responding casually, then shifted the conversation, "I've come to see you today for a matter I wish to inquire about..."

"I had thought, Senior Brother, that you remembered your promise to me," Zhuo Qing sighed plaintively. "It seems you visit only when there is business to attend."

Ying Chen cleared his throat, pondering how to respond, but Zhuo Qing quickly withdrew her melancholy and spoke lightly, "Never mind, your affairs are more important. Let us set aside jest for now... What is it you wish to ask, Senior Brother?"

Once again, Ying Chen marveled at how well she managed the nuances of human relationships.

He shook his head and asked, "I heard you are apprenticed in the Painting Hall?"

Like the Alchemy Hall and Beast Hall, the Painting Hall was run by the sect, though its business was peculiar and far less bustling than the others. Zhuo Qing had been apprenticed there for some time, yet this was the first someone had inquired about it, and she was a little surprised. "That's right. Why do you ask, Senior Brother?"

Ying Chen did not beat around the bush. "I wish to purchase a fine human skin. Do you know of any way to obtain one?"

"Human skin?" Zhuo Qing was momentarily stunned.

---

The so-called human skin, also known as painted skin, was an excellent item for demonic cultivators to conceal their identity when traveling. It was precisely within the scope of the Painting Hall's business.

However, if Ying Chen merely wished to buy a human skin from the Painting Hall, he need not have sought out Zhuo Qing. Inspired by Chen Chang, he realized that just as there were unofficial channels for copying books from the Library Pavilion, there might also be alternative ways to acquire painted skin. His purse was thin, and saving coin was always preferable.

Zhuo Qing quickly understood his intention, hesitating slightly. Such business, hidden from the public eye, was rarely entertained by sudden visitors like Ying Chen. Yet, after a brief contemplation, she replied, "To be honest, Senior Brother, I do know someone in the Hall who secretly sells painted skin..."

"Rest assured, Junior Sister, I will keep your confidence," Ying Chen promised.

Zhuo Qing smiled gently but shook her head. "My meaning is, I dare not reveal the seller's identity, nor can I tell you who it is."

Before Ying Chen could feel disappointed, she continued, "But I can purchase the painted skin on your behalf."

"If you do not mind my knowing the appearance of the painted skin, simply tell me your requirements," she said.

"Oh?" Ying Chen's thoughts shifted, and he replied at once, "Very well, I shall trouble you with this. As for the requirements, as long as it is male and not too conspicuous in appearance, that will suffice."

"That is quite simple," Zhuo Qing replied.

She took the talisman coin from Ying Chen, looked up at the sky, her smile bright again. "Within today, I will deliver the skin to you, Senior Brother."

"Very well, I shall await your good news," Ying Chen said, preparing to leave. Suddenly, Zhuo Qing called him back, "Senior Brother."

She smiled, took the Hundred Flowers Fish from the wall and said, "Let me give you this fish to taste."

Ying Chen looked puzzled. "Wasn't that gifted to you?"

Zhuo Qing laughed, "I am not one for kitchen chores; letting it go to waste would be a shame. Better to offer it to you, so you might remember my kindness."

She handed him the line with the fish attached, her fingers smooth as silk, gently brushing against his hand.

Ying Chen's eyelid twitched. Having just asked her for a favor, he dared not pull away, so he chuckled awkwardly and said, "Very well, thank you."

With that, he took the fish and hurried out the door.

---

...

Upon returning home, Ying Chen hung the Hundred Flowers Fish aside and paid it no mind, sitting alone in the courtyard.

Since Zhuo Qing had promised to deliver the painted skin today, there should be no issue. Yet, seeing the daylight, and considering the hours till dawn, there were still six or seven hours left, and he wondered when Zhuo Qing would arrive.

After some thought, he simply adopted the Five Hearts Toward Heaven posture and began his cultivation.

He had been busy with miscellaneous affairs these days and had not properly trained for some time. Unexpectedly, after one round of circulation, he sensed a faint advancement.

Ying Chen was both surprised and delighted.

In this vast world, there were countless spiritual pills and treasures to increase one’s cultivation. However, after rapid progress through such means, cultivators often needed considerable time to stabilize their gains before advancing further.

Yet since refining the Sacred Essence and breaking through to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, it had only been fifteen or sixteen days, and already he felt poised to advance again.

This not only meant he could continue to increase his cultivation, but more importantly... he could refine Sacred Essence once more!

"Sacred Arts, Sacred Essence..." Ying Chen murmured softly, "Truly worthy of the name."

He exhaled deeply, but resolutely suppressed the impulse that arose.

He could use the plundered arts to advance his cultivation, but he dared not depend on them. Otherwise, how could he reach greater heights? How could he pursue the Way and long life?

Ying Chen looked up just as the clouds parted.

Facing the moon, he began to visualize moonlight cleansing his body. He did not know how much time passed, but at last, he felt a complete purity and tranquility, all distracting thoughts vanishing.

This was a visualization method included in the daily practice at Redwater Cliff, though often neglected by disciples.

Only today had Ying Chen revived it, and at once he felt its profound wonders.