In the room, the light was somewhat dim. The old man took out a dagger and trimmed the lamp wick, making it much brighter.

Chen Ming stood opposite him, observing the furnishings in the room.

It was just the two of them in the room, no one else. Madam Wen had run off while the two were exchanging blows. He didn’t bother to chase after her.

The old man’s mouth still had a trace of blood. He had taken a sword hit from him just now and suffered a bit of internal injury.

Actually, Chen Ming did not use full strength in that sword strike just now.

And from the system prompt that appeared after the older man conceded, it showed he was level 49. He shouldn’t have been so weak, which proved he wasn’t lying when he said he’d been crippled.

The old man smiled apologetically, "Sir, please wait. I’ll fetch something."

Then, he jumped up onto the beam and took down a wooden box.

He opened the box, took out a thick book, and said, "I’m old and can’t teach anymore. This is the experience I’ve compiled on disguise techniques over the years. Originally, I wanted to take it to the grave. But now, I’ll give it to you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask."

Chen Ming accepted it and flipped through it. What he saw was all simple language, easy to understand, with many illustrations, looking quite detailed.

However, he didn’t think he could learn the Disguise Technique just from the book. Thinking back to Earth, he watched many makeup tutorial videos with his ex-girlfriend and felt they were too complicated.

This Disguise Technique is much more complex than makeup. Learn it by self-study from a book?

He didn’t have much confidence in his self-learning ability.

He placed his hand on the thick book and said, "I heard that you, senior, are also proficient in a secret technique that allows changing height and muscle shape and altering appearance at will."

This matter was once mentioned offhandedly by Zhuang Xiaotian as an amusing story. The speaker had no intent, but the listener was interested. Chen Ming noted it down at the time and had been thinking about the secret technique ever since.

The old man looked troubled, "This is a secret passed down by my master. I once swore an oath not to pass it on—"

Saying that, he met the other’s cold gaze and quickly changed his tone, "Of course, if sir wishes to learn, I can teach you. It’s just that—this secret technique requires starting practice from a young age. Given your age, even if you learn it, you won’t be able to master it..."

Chen Ming calmly said, "Just teach me. Whether I can master it or not is my business."

"Alright then."

The old man, helpless, had to reveal the incantations and techniques of the secret art.

He quickly discovered that this person was meticulous. Every incantation was questioned thoroughly, and he would suddenly ask again what a previous incantation was.

Under such circumstances, he naturally didn’t dare to play tricks and honestly laid out all the secrets of the technique, not daring to change even a word.

It wasn’t until close to dawn that the other party, after repeatedly going over the incantations and content, left satisfied.

Before leaving, he left behind two gold ingots, saying they were tuition fees.

He certainly didn’t lack this bit of money, but seeing these two gold bars, he felt a little relieved, at least proving that this person temporarily had no plans to kill him to silence him.

"It’s not safe to stay here."

The old man thought gloomily.

Originally, he thought Qingfeng City, with its declining Martial Dao and thriving commerce, was a good place to hide. But a few months back, an old acquaintance from the Six Gates found him and extorted him.

Now another unknown expert had come knocking.

This place was no longer safe.

...

When Chen Ming returned home, it was already light.

He had already arranged for the students to practice for the day.

"Young master, why did you—"

Two maids had risen early to work. Xiaxiang was surprised to see Chen Ming come in from outside. It was Chunxiang beside her who pulled her, making her swallow her words.

Chen Ming casually said, "I got up in the morning, saw the snow was falling beautifully, and went out to watch it out of interest."

"Oh."

Both maids were somewhat skeptical; would you wear all black to go see the snow?

However, naturally, they wouldn’t question the young master’s words, and they went to get hot water for him to wash up.

While washing his face, Chen Ming opened the panel to check.

[Level: 43]

[Current Points: 106000]

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

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

[Secret Technique: Disguise Technique (Beginner 0/10000)]

The panel had a new category, called secret techniques. To him, it was like opening a door to a new world.

From now on, he could learn things not just limited to "Cultivation Techniques" and "Martial Skills."

This was truly an unexpected delight.

Moreover, entering the Disguise Technique only required ten thousand points, which wasn’t much for him now.

"Add points."

Chen Ming directly added ten thousand points, turning [Disguise Technique] into (Proficient 0/20000).

Suddenly, he felt his entire skeletal structure seemingly undergoing slight shifts, and the skin and muscles on his face felt somewhat sore, swollen, and itchy.

Soon, this strange feeling faded away.

He naturally knew what he could achieve now; he could adjust his height by three to five centimeters, but the duration could not exceed three hours, and his face could be slightly altered.

"At this level, it’s still not enough. Add more."

With a thought, Chen Ming added another twenty thousand points, raising [Disguise Technique] to (Mastery 0/30000).

This time, his bones emitted a crisp sound, his facial muscles felt even more sore, swollen, and itchy, persisting for several dozen seconds.

"Can only maintain it for ten hours, still not enough."

He simply added another thirty thousand points, bringing [Disguise Technique] to (Perfection).

Suddenly, his whole body emitted crackling sounds, like frying beans. The skin and muscles of his face felt hot, lasting for about ten minutes.

Finally, Chen Ming’s body adapted to all the changes.

"Let’s see the effect."

At this moment, Chunxiang and Xiaxiang had already left the courtyard. He returned to the house, closed the door, sat in front of the bronze mirror, and activated the disguise secret technique.

Immediately, his bones crackled, and his height reduced by nearly ten centimeters out of thin air, making him appear more robust.

He moved slightly, activating his True Qi, "At this level, it’s completely unaffected by me. Just a bit uncomfortable."

If he were shorter, he could still manage, but it would affect his movements and power execution.

Next, he used the secret technique again to adjust the muscles on his face.

This adjustment took nearly half an hour, and the face in the mirror transformed into another person’s face.

To him, this face was so familiar.

"Long time no see, me from another world."

Chen Ming once again saw that once extremely familiar face, feeling conflicted as memories of the past were stirred, cell phones, computers, happy otaku drinks, and those unfinished novels...

Amidst the swirling thoughts, it suddenly occurred to him that if he could transport back to Earth with his cultivation now, it would be amazing.

...

At dinner, Chen Ming seized the opportunity when everyone was present to solemnly announce something: he planned to enter seclusion for intensive cultivation for a period of time.

During the seclusion, no one should disturb him.

Regarding this decision, his elder brother Chen Rui and sister-in-law Mrs. Wei had no objections. During this period, he had been locking himself in the courtyard every day.

To them, it was certain he was stimulated by the previous incident.

They knew they couldn’t help Chen Ming with martial arts training directly, so the least they could do was not to hold him back. Whatever he wanted to do, they would support it.

Only young Chen Lide spoke innocently, asking, "Second Uncle, are you going to break through to the fifth tier?"

These words made everyone look at Chen Ming.

He patted his nephew’s head, smiled, and said, "Not that fast. This time in seclusion, it’s mainly to practice swordsmanship."

"Oh."

The little guy couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Previously, in his young mind, he naturally believed his second uncle was the strongest. Last time, when someone broke into the house and the second uncle couldn’t defeat them, he realized that his second uncle wasn’t as invincible as he imagined.

So, in the future, to protect his parents and this home, it would have to rely on him!

...

The next day, Chen Ming informed Zhang Mingyu and Zhou Weihao about his months-long seclusion. After notifying everyone, he began his seclusion.

Before starting, he called Chunxiang and Xiaxiang over, staring at them for a while before solemnly asking, "Can I trust you?"

This question startled them, and they knelt with a thud, "Y-Young Master, what do you mean by this?"

Chen Ming said, "Actually, my seclusion is a cover. I have something important to do that no one can know about. So can I trust you?"

Chunxiang and Xiaxiang quickly responded, "Young Master, rest assured, even if it costs us our lives, we won’t let anyone discover you’re not here."

Chen Ming added, "Including my elder brother and sister-in-law. Remember, you have to create the illusion that I’m constantly in seclusion, without showing any flaws. Understand?"

"Understood!"

They both nodded earnestly.

Chen Ming said, "Relax a bit, don’t be so tense. Alright, let’s fully commit to this act. After I go inside, board up the doors and windows with wooden planks. I’ll have my way to leave."

"Yes."

After instructing them, Chen Ming had them gather the family members, and in front of them, he entered the house, commencing his "seclusion" life.

PS: Third update requesting monthly votes.