[Detected that "Taiyin Scripture" and "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill" are the same cultivation technique. Would you like to merge them?]

Chen Ming looked at this prompt and fell into deep thought.

It seems his guess was correct. These two cultivation techniques indeed originate from the same source and can even be directly merged into one cultivation technique.

The question now is, should he merge them?

What changes will occur after the merge?

These are all unknowns.

After considering for a few minutes, Chen Ming made a decision.

"Yes!"

He chose to trust the system.

[The cultivation technique is being merged, estimated to take six hours. During this period, please do not use True Qi. Find a place to sit down, and do not move around.]

Chen Ming called Chunxiang and Xiaxiang over, gave a few instructions, and then closed the door again.

...

In a blink, six hours passed.

[Cultivation technique merger successful!]

After seeing this prompt, Chen Ming immediately opened the panel.

[Level: 43]

[Current Points: 100000]

[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Yin Yang True Skill" (Fourth Level 120652/600000)]

[Martial Skills: "Three Talents Fist" (Major Achievement), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Major Achievement), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Major Achievement), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Major Achievement), "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" (Proficient 21/500000)]

The panel showed significant changes. The "Three Yang Body Refining Skill" and "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill" both disappeared, merged with the "Taiyin Scripture" to become the "Yin Yang True Skill."

After the merger, even the realm changed to the fourth level. Correspondingly, the total experience points multiplied by six.

After a brief thought, Chen Ming understood this corresponds to his realm. The sixth tier is the fourth level, the fifth tier is the fifth level, and the fourth tier is the sixth level.

So, calculating this way, the required experience points haven’t actually increased.

Previously, with "Six Yang Qi Cultivation Skill," each three levels corresponded to one realm, calculated as 100,000 for the first level, 200,000 for the second, and 300,000 for the third, exactly 600,000.

Chen Ming was most worried that after merging the cultivation techniques, the required experience points would also double.

Fortunately, it didn’t happen.

Next, let’s see what changes have occurred to the True Qi.

With a thought, Chen Ming circulated his True Qi, gathering it in the palm of his hand. The group of True Qi was still as fiery as ever.

Soon, the temperature gradually dropped, becoming colder and colder, with water mist condensing above his palm.

At this moment, the nature of his True Qi had become chillingly cold.

"So that’s it, ’Yin Yang True Skill’ means my True Qi can freely transform its nature, from extreme Yang to extreme Yin."

Understanding this, he was incredibly delighted.

Being able to freely transform the nature of his True Qi meant that as long as he deliberately disguised it, no one could recognize him from the characteristics of his True Qi.

Chen Ming extended his left hand, simultaneously gathering a second group of True Qi, completely opposite in nature to the one in his right hand, the extreme Yang True Qi.

"I can’t believe I can actually do it!"

He was astonished that he could simultaneously utilize two completely opposite kinds of True Qi.

In combat, a strike with Fiery Sun True Qi followed by Taiyin True Qi could likely disable the opponent’s meridians on the spot.

After a while, he dispersed the two groups of True Qi.

"Only the system can achieve something like this, right?"

Based on his understanding of the Martial Dao, Chen Ming could roughly guess the situation of the True Qi in his body. Rather than calling it "Yin Yang True Skill," it would be more accurate to say "Tai Chi Skill," the perfect fusion of extreme Yang and extreme Yin, with you within me and me within you.

This is an ideal state that only exists in theory.

To cultivate this True Qi, these two cultivation techniques need simultaneous practice, and the amounts of the two True Qis must be exactly the same, not a bit more or a bit less.

A special Heart Method is needed to harmonize the two True Qis, preventing conflict and achieving perfect fusion.

In this process, any slight imbalance or problem in any link leads to the risk of deviation.

Just like those physical laws, they only hold true under experimental conditions.

Impossible to achieve in reality.

Only someone with a system like him can "cultivate" such a bug-like cultivation technique.

Next, Chen Ming experimented with different properties of True Qi to perform the "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship," testing its power.

This test lasted for half a day.

...

The next morning, Chen Ming finally boarded a carriage and headed out, going to Zhuang Xiaotian’s house.

It was Zhuang Xiaotian who opened the door; by this time, he usually would have already gone to work at the Six Gates.

"I’m afraid I’m going to be dismissed."

Zhuang Xiaotian said with a bitter expression, asking his wife to bring the wine.

Not only was Chen Ming implicated by Deng Ziyang, but Zhuang Xiaotian, as Deng Ziyang’s sworn brother, was even worse off. However, he had always been good at dealing with people and never made enemies, so naturally, no one wanted to kill him.

At most, it’s just a dismissal.

"Unexpectedly, our big brother quietly did such a big thing. You must have heard, right? He even dared to join the Longevity Sect..."

"I’m one of the lucky ones. His brothers were all implicated by him, and they’ve all been arrested and thrown into the Great Prison. The Giant Tiger Gang is completely finished..."

"By the way, did someone from the Six Gates come looking for you?"

"..."

Zhuang Xiaotian was unaware that Li Guangjie wanted to kill Chen Ming that day. Du Caiyue issued a gag order, and no one dared to spread the news.

Chen Ming was drinking with him on the side, occasionally chiming in. It was clear that being suspended and confined at home left him feeling quite depressed.

This was unavoidable; in the feudal era, collective punishment was common. If someone in the Six Gates supported him, he wouldn’t be swept out like this.

In this regard, being versatile indeed prevented him from offending people, but not choosing a side decisively meant that no big shot would consider him one of their own.

The two jars of wine were almost finished, and Zhuang Xiaotian was getting quite drunk.

While chatting, Chen Ming casually asked, "You mentioned last time there’s a legendary thief who’s aged and now retired in the city. Where is he living now?"

Zhuang Xiaotian, in a daze, said, "Just... at Yihong Brothel... he has a lover... called Madam Wen... Last time, I went with Master Hu to see... seen him..."

After getting the information he wanted, Chen Ming sat for a while longer, waiting until Zhuang was too drunk to be coherent before he bid farewell to Zhuang’s wife.

...

After nightfall, Chen Ming donned his night attire and quietly left home, heading to the Yihong Brothel.

He had been there once before, and as Qingfeng City’s most prestigious entertainment venue, it certainly lived up to its name. The courtesans were exceptionally beautiful.

However, this time he didn’t enter through the front door but waited at the back door.

Madam Wen wasn’t a girl from the Yihong Brothel, nor was she the madam, but was in charge of the back kitchen. As a high-end venue, the kitchen was quite important.

Guests might not come for the food here, but if the food was bad, it would affect the venue’s reputation.

Madam Wen managing the kitchen made her a significant figure at Yihong Brothel.

Chen Ming patiently hid in the back alley and waited.

He waited until the third watch when the entire Yihong Brothel quieted down. Most guests had already gone to sleep, except for a few particularly lively ones.

People started coming out from the back door, mostly kitchen staff.

Chen Ming quickly spotted a middle-aged woman with lingering charm. Based on her attire and others’ attitude towards her, she should be Madam Wen.

He quietly followed her through several alleys and arrived at a secluded courtyard, where she entered and closed the door.

"I wonder which friend is gracing us with their presence?"

A sudden, aged voice came from inside.

This person was at least sixth level.

Chen Ming made the assessment and said, "I’ve heard the esteemed elder is residing here, and came to pay my respects."

"I’ve vowed not to see anyone from the martial world. Please leave."

"Have you heard the saying? ’Once in the martial world, you’re not free to choose.’ You can’t just leave this martial world because you wish."

A sigh came from inside, "Why must you force me?"

Suddenly, Chen Ming felt a chill down his spine. Instinctively, he leapt up and drew his sword in mid-air.

A gleam of cold light appeared in the dark alley; at some point, someone appeared behind him with a dagger attempting an ambush.

Clang!

That sword strike sent the attacker flying.

Indeed sixth level, but their True Qi was weak.

"Hmm!"

Chen Ming didn’t let up, and with a second sword strike aimed directly at a vital spot.

"Spare me!"

The man pleaded loudly, tossing his dagger aside.

The sword point stopped a mere ten centimeters from his throat.

Chen Ming observed the frail and unremarkable old man and said blandly, "Nice skills."

Earlier, the old man’s voice clearly came from inside the house, yet he managed to sneak behind for an attack. Indeed impressive.

The old man showed a bitter expression, "Sir, my hands were crippled by someone. If you’re here for my skills in theft, I truly can’t help."

"You misunderstand; I’m not here for your thieving skills. I heard you excel in disguise, and I’m quite interested in it. I hope you can teach me."

Learn disguise skills?

Upon hearing this, the old man was relieved and silently cursed, ’Why didn’t you say so earlier.’

He replied, "Disguising is just a minor skill. Since you wish to learn, I’ll certainly teach you everything."