Chapter 451: Is There Really No Profit in Early Rising?

Valley Master Nie was overjoyed upon hearing this, and Nie Qianyu was both surprised and delighted as well. Each sect’s and school’s techniques are the very foundation of their standing in the martial world. Even a single trick or method is never revealed so casually to outsiders. For Zhang Xiaohua to be so generous as to offer his own methods—didn’t this mean that, to him, Spring Rebirth Valley was no longer an outsider?

Valley Master Nie, however, still felt some concern and said: “Young Nephew Ren, is this really appropriate? Won’t it cause you trouble? Also, Young Nephew Ren, when I had Little Yu teach you everything about Spring Rebirth Valley’s medical arts and pill-refining techniques, it was to repay your kindness in saving our lives. We are already even, so please don’t go violating your sect’s rules for our sake.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself: “Valley Master Nie is truly sincere. What he says is correct, but the benefits I’ve gained from learning those medical skills are far beyond what he could know. This favor I owe is enormous, and if I don’t repay it soon, I’ll always feel indebted.”

He waved his hand and smiled. “Uncle Nie treats me like a son or nephew, even sharing the valley’s secrets with me. This method of using inner strength is just a technique—even if my elders found out, they wouldn’t blame me.”

“That’s excellent, that’s excellent.” Valley Master Nie was so happy he didn’t know what else to say.

Zhang Xiaohua continued, “It wouldn’t be convenient for me to show you the original manual, but I’ll copy out the key points and bring them to you tomorrow. How does that sound?”

“Yes, that would be best.” Although Valley Master Nie was eager to practice the technique, he understood the inconvenience and could only agree patiently.

Nie Qianyu, standing to the side, couldn’t help but laugh out loud, no doubt remembering Zhang Xiaohua’s crab-like handwriting from when he copied her prescriptions.

Hearing Nie Qianyu’s laugh and seeing the teasing look in her eyes, Zhang Xiaohua immediately understood what she meant. He scratched his head, his eyes glinting mischievously, and suggested: “Uncle Nie, if you’re in a hurry, I can show you the manual now and have Miss Nie copy it for me instead. What do you think?”

Valley Master Nie quickly shook his head. “No need, no need. You can copy it yourself and give it to me tomorrow.”

But Nie Qianyu was not so polite. “Father, don’t be so modest. Let me do the copying for Big Brother Ren. Such menial chores are better suited to me.”

Since it was Zhang Xiaohua’s suggestion and Nie Qianyu was willing, Valley Master Nie no longer objected. He tactfully withdrew and went to guard the cave entrance.

Zhang Xiaohua turned his back on Nie Qianyu and took out the manual for Soul Bewitching Finger from his money pouch. He flipped to the pages about using inner strength to simulate true qi and placed them before Nie Qianyu, who was already waiting by the desk.

So, with Zhang Xiaohua holding the manual, Nie Qianyu picked up her brush and transcribed every word of the relevant contents onto sheets of white paper. Even the diagrams from the manual were reproduced with remarkable accuracy. Although the manual contained a great deal of content, Nie Qianyu did not try to comprehend it herself; she simply copied it faithfully. In just the time it took to eat two meals, she had finished the task.

When Zhang Xiaohua finished turning the pages and closed the manual, Nie Qianyu set down her brush on the desk, flexed her sore wrist, and softly said: “Thank you, Big Brother Ren.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled. “It’s nothing, Little Fish. Spring Rebirth Valley has treated me well. Putting myself in your shoes, I naturally hope your valley’s pill-making skills can advance even further. Actually, if not for fear of bringing trouble to Spring Rebirth Valley, what harm would it do to just give you the manual?”

“Trouble?” Nie Qianyu chuckled lightly. “Spring Rebirth Valley is never afraid of trouble.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua handed the manual over and said: “Then you can have it.”

Nie Qianyu did not hesitate and reached out to take it. “If you give it to me, I’ll take it. I want to see what kind of trouble it brings.”

Seeing that Nie Qianyu was actually going to take the manual, Zhang Xiaohua quickly pulled it back. “I was just joking—you’d really take it?”

Nie Qianyu withdrew her hand and said: “I was just joking too—you’d really give it?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled wryly. Once again, he had been teased.

As Zhang Xiaohua, with a pained expression, tucked the manual into his robes, Nie Qianyu laughed and ran out, calling as she went: “Father! I’ve finished copying! Come in and take a look!”

Valley Master Nie entered, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement. He strode to the desk, picked up the stack of copied pages, and began examining them carefully. But as he leafed through them, his excitement gradually faded, and his brows furrowed ever deeper. By the time he finished reading, his frown was tightly knitted.

Setting down the papers, Valley Master Nie asked: “Young Nephew Ren, this seems to be an extremely advanced method of circulating inner strength. Are you certain that this is the key to controlling temperature?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled gently. “That’s exactly it. Valley Master Nie, try cultivating it first. If you can control the temperature, that’s best. If not, you’ll at least have learned an extremely advanced technique.”

Valley Master Nie gave a bitter smile. “I thought it would be some simple trick, and foolishly hoped to master it quickly. But judging by what’s written in this manual, with my level of inner strength, it would take at least several months to achieve even a modest level of success.”

Having never practiced inner strength himself, Zhang Xiaohua did not dare to speak recklessly and only said: “Indeed, Valley Master Nie is correct. It took me tremendous effort to master this technique back then, too.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Xiaohua added: “Please keep this technique safe, Valley Master Nie. Only teach it to trustworthy people within Spring Rebirth Valley—never let it spread outside. Please remember this well.”

Valley Master Nie had always assumed that Zhang Xiaohua was imparting the technique to him alone. Seeing him now agree to let it be passed down through the generations in Spring Rebirth Valley, he was even more delighted. He bowed deeply and said: “Young Nephew Ren, your righteousness is boundless. When the opportunity arises, this old man will personally visit the Big Dipper Sect to express my gratitude for this great kindness.”

Ahem, that really wouldn’t do. Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua waved his hands repeatedly. “Valley Master Nie, please try cultivating the technique first and see if it’s useful before anything else. By the way, I’ve noticed that Spring Rebirth Valley’s martial arts foundation is somewhat lacking. If you can master this method, it will at least give you another means of self-defense. Using this technique to channel your inner strength might yield unexpected power—such as in acupuncture point attacks…”

“What?!” At this, Valley Master Nie could not help but exclaim: “Young Nephew, when you used acupuncture point techniques on the stage, was it this kind of inner strength you employed?”

From his tone, it was clear that Valley Master Nie already knew about how Elder Yue had been unable to unseal the acupoints Zhang Xiaohua had struck that day.

Zhang Xiaohua nodded with a smile. “However, Valley Master Nie, please keep this technique to yourself and never transmit it outside, lest you invite disaster.”

This was already the second time Zhang Xiaohua had reminded him, so Valley Master Nie understood the seriousness and nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Zhang Xiaohua continued: “Valley Master Nie, now that I’ve seen the pill-refining techniques of the inner valley, I won’t continue observing. Starting tomorrow, I’d like to try my hand at refining some pills myself. What do you think?”

Valley Master Nie laughed. “Spring Rebirth Valley’s current pill-refining techniques must have made you laugh, Young Nephew. If you wish to try refining pills yourself, of course, you may. Feel free to use any medicinal herbs in the valley. Why don’t you use my pill chamber? That way, I can practice the technique and also offer you some guidance.”

Valley Master Nie actually wanted Zhang Xiaohua’s advice on practicing the technique, but as an elder, he found it awkward to ask outright. Zhang Xiaohua, however, could read between the lines. He smiled and said: “I prefer peace and quiet when I work. Pill-refining seems like something that requires real concentration, so I think I’ll find another pill chamber. This one is better left for you to practice your techniques, Valley Master Nie.”

Seeing her father gently rebuffed, Nie Qianyu chuckled and said: “Father, isn’t there a pill chamber next door with its own door? No one has used it for a long time. Why not let Big Brother Ren use it? It’s close by, so if he has any questions about refining pills, he can ask you right away.”

Valley Master Nie was pleased. “That would be excellent. Come, Young Nephew, I’ll take you there now.”

With that, he was about to lead Zhang Xiaohua out, but Zhang Xiaohua waved his hand and said: “Valley Master Nie, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”

Valley Master Nie was surprised. “What is it? Do you need a few assistants to help with the herbs?”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head. “This request is a bit more difficult. I don’t know if Valley Master Nie would be willing to agree.”

Both Valley Master Nie and Nie Qianyu became even more curious. “What could be so difficult? Please, tell us.”

“I’d like to get a lot of practice, so I boldly ask Valley Master Nie to let me see all of Spring Rebirth Valley’s pill formulas. I want to ‘read a thousand formulas and refine ten thousand pills.’”

“What?!” Valley Master Nie was truly a bit troubled upon hearing this. Pill formulas—as the name implies—are the recipes for refining pills. Each formula is the result of countless trials and hardships by pill-refiners, and Spring Rebirth Valley’s formulas are the distilled essence of thousands of years of accumulation, the painstaking legacy of generations of alchemists. They are the most treasured possessions of all. For Zhang Xiaohua to ask to see them all at once—how could Valley Master Nie not be troubled?

Only Nie Qianyu, standing to the side, showed a look of admiration.

Looking into Zhang Xiaohua’s clear, honest eyes, Valley Master Nie thought for a moment, then clenched his teeth and said, “Very well, Young Nephew Ren. Since you have such a grand ambition, I will grant your request. However, I have two conditions.”

Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed. “Valley Master Nie, please tell me.”

“First, you may only keep the pill formulas for yourself and must not reveal them to anyone else.”

“That’s only natural. I swear I will not disclose them.”

“Second, for all pills you refine using our formulas, you must leave half of them in Spring Rebirth Valley.”

“Are those the only two conditions?” Zhang Xiaohua was astonished. “If I use Spring Rebirth Valley’s herbs to refine pills, it’s only right to leave all the pills here. Isn’t half too little?”

Valley Master Nie smiled. “No, half is enough. Those are the only two conditions. If you agree, I’ll let you see all of Spring Rebirth Valley’s pill formulas.”

“Great, it’s a deal! Valley Master Nie, I accept both conditions.”

Nie Qianyu, standing nearby, was puzzled. “Father, Big Brother Ren is already willing to leave all the pills here. Why are you giving half back to him?”

Seeing that Zhang Xiaohua was also confused, Valley Master Nie smiled and said, “As the ancients said, ‘Drain the pond to catch all the fish, burn the forest to hunt the beasts.’ If Spring Rebirth Valley doesn’t give Young Nephew Ren some benefit, how could he concentrate on refining pills? If everything he refines—good or bad—belongs to others, where would his motivation come from?”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled but didn’t reply immediately. Nie Qianyu pursed her lips, thinking to herself: “Others, I don’t know, but this guy—I understand him. No profit, no early rising. Father’s words do make sense!”