The next morning, Wan Yunting woke up early. He went to the small park in the community to meditate, beginning his silent practice of the Wuji Tiangang inner strength technique…
Previously, he had learned the Sihe Gong techniques from his master, which were considered superior internal martial arts of the Daoist sect. However, compared to Wuji Tiangang, Sihe Gong was still slightly inferior.
Practicing internal martial arts required a very quiet place, allowing one to achieve harmony with nature, sense the ethereal spiritual energy between heaven and earth, guide qi into the body, and then circulate it through the Great Heavenly Cycle according to the technique. This process would invigorate the major meridians throughout the body, finally converging into the dantian…
“You are my little, little apple…”
The nearby community park square was instantly filled with the popular square dance anthem, immediately interrupting Wan Yunting's meditation. He opened his eyes, revealing a helpless expression, and sighed, shaking his head. He had no choice but to get up and end his inner strength practice, switching to the Five Elements Palm instead…
He had woken up early to practice his inner strength because, at precisely seven-thirty every morning, the aunts from the surrounding residential areas would gather in the small square to dance. This made Wan Yunting feel a bit nostalgic; square dancing hadn't been popular when he was not in prison…
“Looks like I need to find a quieter neighborhood.”
In order to practice internal martial arts bathed in the morning sun, Wan Yunting decided to find a suitable place to move when he had the time…
He awkwardly performed a set of Five Elements Palm. Unable to bear the square dance music any longer, Wan Yunting chose to go back. After greeting his second sister-in-law, who was making breakfast in the kitchen, he went upstairs to take a shower, change his clothes, and then call Wan'er to wake her up, help her wash up, and put on a pretty little dress.
The little girl was already impatient to see her mother. After Wan Yunting took her downstairs for breakfast, he drove them directly to Huadu Prison, having called Ma Zhendong in advance to make arrangements…
“Mom…”
Entering the room, his elder sister Wan Manyu, wearing a new outfit, happily picked up her daughter. Wan Yunting followed in and smiled, saying, “Sister.”
“Ah, Third Brother…”
Perhaps at peace, Wan Manyu was not as haggard as before. She had diligently accepted the life and rehabilitation within the prison during this period. Seeing Wan'er now, she felt very content.
Wan Yunting stayed to chat with Wan Manyu for a while, then let her have some private time with Wan'er.
He went directly to the adjacent men's prison, cell zero. As soon as he stepped into the room, he saw his master, who was sitting upright on the iron bed, with a head of white hair, a gaunt body, and skin stretched tight over bones. Wan Yunting's nose involuntarily stung, knowing his master’s time was drawing near.
“Why have you come today, you brat?”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor slightly opened his sunken eyes. Although he appeared to be on his last legs, his old eyes were still piercingly sharp.
“To see when you’re going to die.”
Wan Yunting walked over and knelt beside his old master, saying with a smile.
“Heh heh.”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor chuckled and said, “Have you encountered any more difficult problems that require this old bone of mine to enlighten you?”
“No particular difficulties, I just wanted to ask you about someone!” Wan Yunting said.
“Oh, who?”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor looked at him. Wan Yunting took a dark green jade tablet from his pocket, it was from Senior Lexin. “Master, please look.”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor looked at the familiar jade tablet. “Isn't this what I gave you?”
“It’s different.”
Wan Yunting placed the jade tablet in his withered old hand. Ghost Hand Divine Doctor touched the inscription on the back of the tablet, then quickly turned it over to look. Instantly, his old eyes widened in shock: “Lexin!”
“It seems Master, you know this person…”
“Tell me, where did this come from?”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor glared, puzzled as to how Wan Yunting possessed Lexin’s identity token.
“It’s quite a coincidence, really…”
So Wan Yunting recounted his trip to Anhui to investigate Dendrobium candidum in Wangjiadian Village. Ghost Hand Divine Doctor exclaimed, “The back mountain of Wangjiadian Village, Taiping Township, at the foot of Mount Máo in Anhui…”
Wan Yunting looked at him and said, “Master, is this Lexin a member of your sect? What era was he from? And how did he end up in the Central Plains, even burying himself at the foot of a cliff?”
“Alas…”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor shook his head and said, “Regarding this Senior Lexin, I’ve heard some from my master. Counting the years, he should be from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.”
“However, this Lexin was expelled from our Wuliang Daoist Temple!”
“Expelled from the sect?”
Wan Yunting was surprised, his curiosity piqued even further.
“Yes.”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor nodded and said, “This Lexin had exceptionally high talent. My master said that back then, he was a peerless expert of our Wuliang Daoist Temple, his martial arts having reached the Neigang realm. However, he was naturally unrestrained, and extremely lecherous, often dual-cultivating with female disciples from other sects!”
Wan Yunting blinked, finding it amusing: “No wonder…”
“As a result, one time, he got involved with the wife of the Kunlun Sect Leader. When it was discovered, the Kunlun Sect Leader attacked our Wuliang Daoist Temple, ultimately forcing the then Abbot’s hand, who had no choice but to expel Lexin from the sect!”
“Eventually, Lexin left the Wuliang Daoist Temple. At the same time, he was branded as a womanizer by the Kunlun Sect and was pursued by various major sects, his whereabouts becoming unknown.
“I never expected that you, this kid, would stumble upon him now.”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor looked at Wan Yunting and asked, “Did you find anything in his tomb?”
“Yes, the Wuji Tiangang inner strength technique!” Wan Yunting said.
“What…”
Ghost Hand Divine Doctor was shocked, then immediately nodded, “No wonder, when our sect later discovered that the Wuji Tiangang inner strength technique manual was stolen, it turns out he was the one who did it.”
Wan Yunting added, “And also the Five Elements Palm, and the Yin-Yang Complementary Technique.”
“Yes, these are all Daoist martial arts from our Wuliang Daoist Temple. As for the Yin-Yang Complementary Technique, I don’t know where he obtained it.” Ghost Hand Divine Doctor nodded and smiled at Wan Yunting, asking, “So, can you, my boy, learn the Wuji Tiangang inner strength technique and the Five Elements Palm?”
“I’ve learned both,” Wan Yunting replied with a bashful smile.
“Good, you have great fortune, kid. You’ve also reclaimed lost supreme skills and techniques for our Wuliang Daoist sect,” Ghost Hand Divine Doctor nodded and smiled, considering it his own good fortune.
After chatting with his master for a while longer and finding his condition to be quite stable, indicating he wouldn't die anytime soon, Wan Yunting left the prison.
Upon returning to the women's prison, it was Wan Manyu's visiting time. Wan Yunting then took Wan'er away from Huadu Prison, returning home directly. In the afternoon, he went to work at the Traditional Chinese Medicine department of Southern Hospital…
However, Wan Yunting was already planning to go to Southeast Asia soon.
Unknowingly, two days passed. Wan Yunting went to work at the Traditional Chinese Medicine department as usual. At the same time, he was also discussing the plan to investigate Young Master Leng in Southeast Asia with Bureau Chief Pang and others…
Concurrently, he had contacted Phantom, instructing them to start by investigating the forces involved in Young Master Leng’s drug trafficking in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, at the Fang Group, Fang Yanxi, who could no longer wait, finally dialed Wan Yunting's mobile number…
“Yanxi.”
Wan Yunting, preparing to get off work, answered Fang Yanxi’s call. She said, “Are you free tonight? Let’s have dinner.”
“Sure, I’ll pick you up,” Wan Yunting agreed.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.” Hearing his agreement, Fang Yanxi's heart fluttered with excitement.
She had wanted to ask him out for the past two days but hadn't dared. As it turned out, Wan Yunting had been busy preparing for his trip to Southeast Asia, so he had forgotten about her.
Driving hurriedly to the entrance of the Fang Group building, Fang Yanxi soon emerged, wearing a pink shirt and a white, slit, hip-hugging pencil skirt. Her professional attire exuded a mature and elegant demeanor.
“Get in.”
Wan Yunting got out of the car and opened the passenger door for her.
“Thank you.”
Fang Yanxi gave him a gentle smile and got into his car. Wan Yunting drove away immediately, arousing surprise and gossip among the company employees…