Turns out Ninghai Zen is so easy to talk to!

Chen Zhao was both surprised and delighted, almost as if he were dreaming.

He had plotted meticulously for a long time, persuading Tao Rong to play the antagonist, intentionally creating trouble by detaining Bai's Fish Stall. Then, he would act as the peacemaker to resolve the issue, using this as a pretext to visit Tongwen Hall.

Yet, all these schemes had not even shown any results, and he already got what he wanted!

"Could it be that my brother was too impetuous, spoke and behaved recklessly, angering Ninghai Zen, which led to such a fate?"

Chen Zhao mused to himself, looking up at the figure seated upright in the blue robe; though his gaze was cold, he appeared refined and amiable at this moment.

"Or perhaps, my talent and sincerity moved Sect Leader Ning! He thinks I am someone extraordinary, hence willing to lend me a hand?"

The crisp, straightforward responses from Ninghai Zen left Chen Zhao with a mind full of questions, causing him to start imagining wildly.

Bai Qi, standing with hands at his side nearby, noticed the three fingers his master raised, and his eyebrows lifted as he thought:

"Chen the Second asking for the True Skill Root Diagram is really asking for trouble now."

He certainly would not believe that Ninghai Zen would sell the heritage of Tongwen Hall so easily to a mere stranger out of favor for his master.

"Is there anything else?"

Ninghai Zen's gaze was calm, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Was this the caliber of talent developed by his father's endeavors?

"I dare not disturb further."

Chen Zhao sensibly stopped speaking, bowing once more.

He tried his best to say as little as possible, lest any misplaced word offends this Grandmaster of Circulation of Qi.

If his legs were broken then, it would be an irreparable loss.

Two brothers in the same family, both can't end up crippled!

"Very well."

Ninghai Zen was concise, signaling Bai Qi to escort the guest:

"Come at 5 p.m. to retrieve it."

Chen Zhao suppressed his impatient and eager mood, trying to respond calmly: 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Thank you, Sect Leader Ning!"

Bai Qi stepped forward two paces, escorting Chen Zhao, whose name was already listed in the Book of Life and Death by King of Hell, out of Tongwen Hall, noticing Lao Dao's face full of regret as he put away the bucket and mop.

"The young master has a much better temper than before."

Bai Qi's mouth curled slightly, directly looking at Ninghai Zen:

"Master, should we act before 5 p.m. or wait until after?"

Ninghai Zen raised his hand, pressing down, his tone light:

"Ah Qi, don't always think about fighting and killing; it harms the peace. He's my father's adopted son, after all. Paying a visit to Black River County and losing his life for no reason, how would I explain that?"

Bai Qi was very surprised:

"I saw Master raise three fingers; I thought you meant for me to take people, take care of him at midnight, toss him into Black Water River, and be done with it quietly."

Ninghai Zen lifted his eyelids, slowly shaking his head:

"Ah Qi, you're a bit too aggressive. How could I instigate my own disciple to murder without cause?

And Lao Dao, why are you carrying a bucket and mop? Ah, these past few days, I've been introspecting and pondering the sage's teachings, starting to cultivate personally.

The True Skill Root Diagram, the secret recipe for battle liquor — these are external belongings, not worth fussing over."

Bai Qi furrowed his brows, feeling something was off. When did his master become so open-minded?

"At 5 p.m., give Chen Zhao both the True Skill Root Diagram and the battle liquor secret recipe."

Ninghai Zen stood up, leaving the main hall with hands behind his back, leaving Bai Qi and Lao Dao looking at each other.

"The young master probably went mad while practicing martial arts."

Lao Dao said solemnly.

He originally wanted to watch a good show, with his cleaning tools ready.

"Perhaps Master doesn't want us involved? Or, he truly wants to give face to his master?"

Bai Qi had every reason to suspect that Ninghai Zen was preparing for a major secret operation.

But having promised the True Skill Root Diagram already, could he really go back on his word?

"The young master undertaking a significant task without involving me."

Lao Dao murmured several "What a pity," as he had no fondness for those military officers at the Dragon Court Military Mansion, wishing he could trample them to vent his frustration.

This Red Eyebrow Leader sighed deeply, carrying the bucket and mop, wiping the tables and chairs in the main hall, then asked:

"How's Young Master Qi's fish stall? I heard that Tao Rong intentionally gave you trouble. Need a hand?"

Bai Qi first thanked Lao Dao for his kind offer, then politely declined:

"Such trivial matters don't require Uncle Dao's personal attention. Tao Rong is merely a small character serving as Chen Zhao's pawn; even with seven or eight times the courage, he wouldn't dare touch Uncle Changshun."

Tongwen Hall is his strongest support, but aside from Ninghai Zen and Uncle Dao, he also has other connections; dealing with a Captain of the Brave Guard is no big deal.

After some idle chatter, Bai Qi stepped into Dezhen Tower, starting to cultivate the last of the Five Grand Captures, the Heart-Seize.

"No punch without heart intent; every move is a seize! This statement speaks of tremendous essence!"

He carefully felt the dragon-shaped jade pendant worn on his finger. Recently, with the aid effect of the Human Soul Pearl, he rapidly advanced the White Ape Skill and Silk Binding Strength to consummation.

Now, he can finally begin to grasp the Heart-Seize, which Ninghai Zen referred to as the "method for enlightenment."

"This martial art integrates Arhat Hand, Dragon Palm, White Ape Skill, and Silk Binding Strength into a singular superior technique.

On the surface, it's all about punches and kicks, but it is, in fact, divided into dynamic and static modes.

In movement, the qi circulates into the membranes, fortifying the body; in stillness, it requires nothing, embodying selfless insight."

With the numerous blessings of the Ink Talisman techniques, Bai Qi's perception improved greatly, qualifying him as truly exceptional and gaining daily advances in martial comprehension.

He carefully reflected on the moving and still aspects of Heart-Seize, seeming to have invisible insights flowing through:

"Movement is about qi cultivation and power cultivation; stillness is about cultivating the heart and intent. Movement has fundamental forms, simplifying complexity, encompassing numerous changes in punch and kick techniques, while stillness can open awareness, taking ear, nose, eye, tongue, and body as the basis, but it doesn't mention the mysterious 'consciousness,' 'Manas-vijnana,' or 'Alaya-vijnana.'