The Evil Ghost Mask began a fundamental transformation after reaching Level 5. When worn, it even granted the ability to change one's appearance.
HUM!
The Encyclopedia of All Things flashed with a fluorescent light. Faintly, Xu Qing once again saw the scene of the Evil Ghost Mask being reforged: the same dark, chilling, and eerie environment; the same Divine Woman; the same animal flesh and skin.
The same scene played out again.
However, this time the Divine Woman's work on the mask was focused and earnest. She poured considerable effort into it, a far cry from the previous crude and careless construction.
FLASH!
With a flash of white light, the Evil Ghost Mask in Xu Qing's hand changed subtly once more. It grew more exquisite, and the patterns and carvings upon it became more refined.
[Evil Ghost Mask Level 6: 242/320 (A mask crafted by a Divine Woman who makes sacrifices to Ghost Gods, made from the skin and flesh of animals. It possesses the ability to change one's appearance and alter one's aura. Because she poured her heart and soul into it and crafted it meticulously, the disguise is not easily seen through.)]
"Good."
Xu Qing nodded in satisfaction. He examined the Evil Ghost Mask in his hand, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. 'In a single night, I've raised the Evil Ghost Mask by four levels.'
'Not bad, not bad.'
'If I wear it for one more night, I can upgrade it again tomorrow.'
Then, Xu Qing placed the Evil Ghost Mask on his face. The mask transformed, flowing over his features like a liquid.
Before long, Xu Qing's face and aura had changed. He had become a rugged-faced, middle-aged man with a fierce and menacing air.
Afterwards, Xu Qing fetched a basin of water and studied his reflection. His face had indeed undergone a dramatic change, but his physical build remained the same.
'It's still missing something.'
Xu Qing mused to himself, 'I'm only sixteen. And after sixteen years of living as a beggar, my body hasn't fully developed. I'm only about five-foot-five.'
'Fortunately...'
'During this time, I've been practicing Baji Fist, even raising it to Level 6 and mastering An Jin. This has spurred a new growth spurt in my body.'
'I'm now about five-foot-seven.'
'But my build is still a bit lean. A rugged face like this looks a little out of place on my current frame.'
'I'll just have to keep upgrading the Evil Ghost Mask.'
Next, Xu Qing washed his face and brushed his teeth. He then pan-fried a piece of Tai Sui Spirit Meat until it was rare and began to devour it, finishing the entire piece in a few quick bites.
After a pound of Tai Sui Spirit Meat settled in his stomach, a gentle warmth spread through his abdomen, filling Xu Qing with a sense of comfort. He then began to practice his Baji Fist inside the room.
[Experience +1]
About ten minutes later, Xu Qing had completed one round of practice.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Just then, a knock came from the door.
"Who is it?"
Xu Qing stopped.
"Xu Qing, it's me! Yu Chen!"
Yu Chen's voice came from outside the door. "And Brother Zhao is here, too."
'Yu Chen, Zhao Jingyuan.'
Xu Qing paused for a moment. "Come in."
"Alright."
The door was pushed open.
Yu Chen and Zhao Jingyuan stood outside. Xu Qing also noticed a sturdy-looking young boy with them, who appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years old.
In truth, in this world, there was no age limit for practicing martial arts. Even someone in their seventies or eighties could take it up, though they would most likely achieve very little.
Also, the earlier one started, the better. However, children who were too young couldn't begin training directly. They needed to consume large quantities of Tonics and Secret Medicines for nourishment and for Washing Marrow and Sinews.
"Hu Zi, what are you waiting for? Greet Uncle Xu," Yu Chen said, patting the sturdy boy on the head.
Clearly, this sturdy boy was Yu Chen's own son. His real name was Yu Hu, and at exactly twelve years old, he was only four years younger than Xu Qing.
"H-hello, Uncle Xu!"
Yu Hu had no choice but to bow and greet Xu Qing.
"Mm."
Xu Qing nodded. "What's this about?"
"Ahem..."
Zhao Jingyuan cleared his throat. "Well... B-Brother Xu, it's like this. I heard that you became an Official Disciple of the Cangying Martial Arts Hall yesterday, so I came especially to congratulate you."
"This is a gift to celebrate."
As he spoke, Zhao Jingyuan produced a small red sandalwood box from within his robes.
"Brother Zhao, you're treating me like a stranger."
Xu Qing waved his hand. "Your presence is gift enough. Why bring anything else? If you insist, I'll really get upset."
However, even as he spoke, Xu Qing accepted Zhao Jingyuan's gift.
He peeked inside.
FLASH!
A faint glint of gold.
There were at least five gold bars.
"Brother Zhao, please, have a seat."
Xu Qing quickly put the box away, his face wreathed in smiles. He even brought a stool over for Zhao Jingyuan. "My apologies, my home is quite humble. There isn't much in the way of seating, so I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to make do, Brother Zhao."
"Not at all, not at all."
Zhao Jingyuan waved his hand.
"Brother Zhao, just tell me what's on your mind. I guarantee I'll help you," Xu Qing said, patting his chest.
"Well," Zhao Jingyuan got straight to the point. "It's about what we discussed last time. The Cangying Martial Arts Hall has a Secret Medicine called 'Spirit Cloud Powder.' I was hoping Brother Xu might be able to purchase it for me. I would be incredibly grateful."
"That's a small matter," Xu Qing said. "I actually made a point to ask yesterday. The Cangying Martial Arts Hall does have the Spirit Cloud Powder. I just don't know the exact price yet."
"Don't worry, Brother Zhao. You can leave this to me."
"Then I must thank you, Brother Xu," Zhao Jingyuan said, cupping his fists.
"See, Brother Zhao? I told you. Brother Xu is a man who values loyalty and friendship," Yu Chen said.
"Brother Xu, are you still on the Patrol Team?" Zhao Jingyuan asked.
"Not anymore."
Xu Qing waved his hand. "My Master has assigned me to manage the Chunfeng Tower on Red Leaf Street. I'll be stationed there from now on."
"Congratulations, Brother Xu. My heartfelt congratulations."
Zhao Jingyuan cupped his fists again.
"Hahaha..."
Yu Chen burst out laughing and teased, "Looks like you'll be having a 'blissful' time every day from now on, Brother Xu."
"How can a Martial Artist indulge in the temptations of the flesh?" Xu Qing scoffed.
"Alright, Yu Chen, out with it. What do you want?" Xu Qing asked.
"Of course it's to congratulate you on becoming an Official Disciple of the Cangying Martial Arts Hall yesterday!" Yu Chen said.
"Get to the point," Xu Qing said irritably.
"Well, it's mainly about my son."
Yu Chen's expression turned sycophantic. "We talked about it last time, remember? I wanted him to become your disciple, and you agreed. So, I brought him with me today."
"Yu Hu, what are you waiting for? Kneel!" Yu Chen barked.
...
The boy, Yu Hu, was clearly afraid of his father. At Yu Chen's shout, he immediately knelt before Xu Qing, leaving Xu Qing at a loss for words.
"Where's the apprenticeship fee?" Xu Qing asked.
"Haha..."
Yu Chen laughed. "I've had it ready for a long time."
As he spoke, Yu Chen took a stack of silver notes from his robes.
An exact sum: silver notes worth one thousand taels of silver.
"Alright."
Xu Qing accepted the apprenticeship fee, then asked, "And the IOU?"
"Right here," Yu Chen replied, startled for a moment.
"This is one hundred taels of silver."
Xu Qing took out a silver note worth one hundred taels. It was part of the five hundred taels Ye Langtian had gifted him, which had come as five separate notes of one hundred taels each.
"This..."
For a moment, Yu Chen didn't know whether to accept it or not.
Giving the IOU to Xu Qing meant that the previous favor would be considered repaid. Xu Qing was making it clear: he would accept Yu Hu and teach him Baji Fist.
But from that moment on, the old favor would be settled.
To be honest, this was because Xu Qing was a man who valued loyalty. At his lowest point, what he had needed was an opportunity. Huo Yi had given him one, and Yu Chen had given him the Baji Fist manual that allowed him to defeat Pang De.
Therefore, Xu Qing had remembered the favor. Though others might not have considered it a favor at all, he did.
"Alright."
Yu Chen glanced at his son, Yu Hu. He took out the IOU and handed it to Xu Qing, but he didn't take the one hundred taels of silver. "There's no need for the hundred taels. Just consider it part of the apprenticeship fee."
"Fine."
Xu Qing didn't force the money on him. He simply nodded in agreement and took the IOU.
Next, Yu Hu kowtowed three times to Xu Qing and offered him a cup of tea.
And so, Yu Hu became Xu Qing's first disciple in this world.
As for how much this disciple meant to Xu Qing, for now, it wasn't much. Perhaps if Yu Hu performed well in the future, that could change.
"Starting tomorrow, have Yu Hu come over before six in the evening," Xu Qing said. "I need the rest of my time for my own training."
"Okay."
Yu Chen nodded. "Yu Hu, thank your master."
"Thank you, Master," Yu Hu said.
After a few more words, Yu Chen and the other two left. Once again alone in his room, Xu Qing resumed his Baji Fist practice.
...
[Experience +1]
...
[Experience +1]
...
[Experience +1]
...
「Meanwhile.」
"Yu Chen, why don't you send Yu Hu to a Martial Arts Hall?"
Zhao Jingyuan asked, "Although Xu Qing is already a Mingjin Martial Artist, isn't he still far behind the Instructors at the Martial Arts Hall? Besides, Xu Qing can't teach Yu Hu a Training Technique."
"And you even gave a full one thousand taels for the apprenticeship fee."
"Haha..."
Yu Chen chuckled. "I'm just set on having Yu Hu become Xu Qing's disciple."
...
Zhao Jingyuan said no more.
In reality, Yu Chen was likely the only one who knew just how terrifying Xu Qing's Talent was. Xu Qing had not yet truly risen to prominence; he was still biding his time.
Therefore, now was the only time to have Yu Hu become Xu Qing's disciple.
In a few years' time, Yu Chen feared he wouldn't even be qualified to meet Xu Qing.
Yu Chen took a deep breath, glancing back in the direction of Xu Qing's home. 'I didn't expect him to actually accept Yu Hu. The man is truly loyal. He's already on the verge of rising, yet he hasn't forgotten such a small favor from back then.'
He couldn't help but feel a deep, sincere admiration for Xu Qing.