Chapter 27: The Twelve Arts of the Yellow Emperor

Li Yu gazed at the beloved before him and rushed forward in a blur. Three months apart, longing day and night; seeing her again now felt as if only yesterday had passed. He seized her in a tight embrace, afraid she might slip away once more.

"Feiyan, where have you been these past months? Do you know how much I missed you?"

"Li Yu… I'm sorry…"

"There's nothing to be sorry for. Feiyan, what have you been busy with lately? Not even a word from you."

Yanfei replied, "First, I went to the Eastern Sea to handle some matters, then to the headquarters of the Yin-Yang Sect to search for a suitable cultivation method for you. Since the technique is ancient, I only found a fragment."

As she spoke, Yanfei produced a small piece of brownish metal from her sleeve and placed it in Li Yu's hand. It was heavy, the material unknown, but instinctively it carried an ancient, primordial aura. Li Yu turned it over and examined its contents—what? Why did it look so familiar? Wasn't this the spring palace illustration from that nameless scroll? What was going on? Yanfei had gone through all this trouble just to find this?

Yanfei noticed Li Yu's strange gaze and, thinking he was embarrassed by the intimate art, blushed and explained, "Don't get the wrong idea. This is the legendary Twelve Techniques of the Yellow Emperor. This is only one of the chapters. If all twelve are gathered, one could ascend to immortality in broad daylight. But it's so old, it's probably just a legend."

Li Yu wasn't sure if his heart was racing or not; he only felt something was about to burst from his throat, and he asked, his voice trembling, "You mean the Yellow Emperor is Emperor Xuanyuan?"

"Of course. Legend has it the Twelve Techniques were passed down by the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens. It also bears another name, the Golden Seal Jade Casket. The Yellow Emperor divided the cultivation method of the Art of the Imperial Consort into twelve parts, which became the Twelve Techniques. I noticed your constitution contains the energy of Nine Yang, so I believe this method suits you. But only this chapter is known; without gathering them all, the technique is useless. Besides—"

Li Yu waited for Yanfei to continue. When she didn't, he asked curiously, "Besides what?"

Yanfei spoke slowly, "Besides, I’m conflicted about letting you practice this method. It makes one sentimental…"

"Sentimental?" Li Yu echoed, intrigued.

"Yes, sentimental—easily moved by women. And this cultivation technique requires pairing with different women to succeed. That's why the Yellow Emperor was said to have three thousand imperial consorts and ascended in daylight," Yanfei explained softly.

"Damn…" Li Yu couldn't help but curse.

"Fortunately, only one chapter exists. Also, mastering this technique demands extreme requirements. Otherwise, why would only the Yellow Emperor succeed? Legend says the Mysterious Lady gave him an immortal pill that could cleanse his marrow and fortify his foundation. Ordinary humans simply can't practice it."

Hearing this, Li Yu felt numb, as though living in a world of fantasy. He timidly asked, "Are there any signs after cleansing the marrow and fortifying the foundation?"

Yanfei frowned, pondering, "I’m not sure about the signs. It should improve the constitution, expelling impurities from within. If I'm guessing right, it might also leave a subtle, ethereal fragrance on the person."

She judged based on her experience, as the Yin-Yang Sect also studied alchemy, so she had some authority.

Li Yu was at a loss for words. He took Yanfei’s hand and hurried home, talking as they went, "Feiyan, let me introduce you to my family. I have an elder sister who once saved my life."

Arriving at the Li residence, he headed straight for the back courtyard, leaving the maids puzzled—who was this noble lady, so regal and distinguished?

Before they even reached the courtyard, Yanfei sensed a surge of sword energy. Jingni held her sword, standing sternly before the approaching Yanfei. Yanfei, too, watched her intently. The two women said nothing.

Li Yu hastily intervened, "Sister, this is Feiyan, the one I mentioned before. Feiyan, this is the sister who saved my life."

He then turned to Jingni, "Sister, come to my room now." He led Yanfei inside.

Jingni followed; Tian Mi wanted to join but was shut out by Jingni, leaving her stomping her foot in frustration and curiosity. Who was that woman? Her bearing rivaled the Empress Dowager—not cultivated, but innate. Who could she be?

Li Yu, after closing the room door, checked the windows, then took up paper and brush and began to draw. As he sketched, he said, "You two are the people I trust most. I won't hide from you—Feiyan, I possess all the chapters of the Yellow Emperor's Twelve Techniques." He drew the spring palace illustrations in earnest, carefully marking each fine line and node of the human figures.

Jingni watched curiously, blushing at Li Yu's serious depiction of nude couples, while Yanfei observed with grave attention and set up a barrier in the room to prevent outsiders from spying.

Once all twelve illustrations were finished, Li Yu handed them to Yanfei, "Feiyan, see if they’re real."

Yanfei didn’t shy away and studied them closely.

Li Yu and Jingni waited. After a long examination, Yanfei finally sighed, "Where did you get these?"

Li Yu scratched his head, "I found them in a cave on Kunlun Mountain. There was a medicine bottle nearby with sticky potion inside. I was starving, so I drank it. Then I fainted, and when I woke, I stank. After bathing, my skin felt better, but nothing else changed."

Yanfei was incredulous, "Legend says Jiang Ziya obtained the Xuanyuan Sword, hoping to acquire the Twelve Techniques, but you stumbled upon them by accident. This is dangerous—if word gets out, not even King Zheng of Qin could protect you. He might even harm you. The lure of immortality is immense."

She glanced pointedly at Jingni beside her.

"If the secret leaks, it won’t be from me," Jingni said earnestly.

Li Yu nodded solemnly, "You two are the only ones I trust. I’d never suspect you."

He then asked Yanfei, "But Feiyan, these are just pictures. How do you practice?"

Yanfei, true to her Yin-Yang Sect heritage, answered without hesitation, "I’m not sure myself. Since they’re spring palace illustrations, they must be practiced during intimacy."

She pointed out the fine lines on the figures, "These are likely the routes for energy circulation."

Yanfei explained seriously, and Li Yu, blushing, rubbed his hands, "Should we try?"

Yanfei turned away, "I have things to do—I'll be leaving." She walked out, dispelling the barrier, and as the door opened, they saw someone eavesdropping—her ear pressed to the door.

Tian Mi laughed awkwardly, trying to defuse the embarrassment.

Li Yu asked, "Feiyan, where can I find you?"

"The Star-Gazing Tower," she replied, vanishing from the courtyard.

"The Star-Gazing Tower? It’s finished?" Li Yu knew the northern palace in Xianyang was used by the Yin-Yang Sect as an imperial base, with the Star-Gazing Tower among them. He didn’t expect it to be completed so soon.

Now that he knew where to find her, Li Yu felt at ease. He glanced at the bewildered Tian Mi and shook his head. He trusted Yanfei’s abilities.

It was getting late, so Li Yu decided not to go out. He turned to Jingni, "Sister, I have a sword technique. Would you guide me?"

He took a branch as a makeshift sword and practiced the Taiji sword method for the first time. He wasn’t familiar, and soon the branch broke under the force of his energy.

Jingni observed his technique—though she saw only the beginning, it was enough for her. "Your swordplay matches your cultivation method; they’re a set. But your internal energy circulation is still uncoordinated."

Li Yu laughed, "Sister, let me teach you. Once mastered, it should be formidable."

Jingni replied, "I’m used to my own sword. Yours doesn’t suit me."

Li Yu said, "I’m going to fetch my sword today. Will you come with me?"

Jingni answered, "No."

Li Yu said, "Then I’ll go. Rest well at home—if you need anything, ask Xiao He."

With that, he left.

Tian Mi: "… Am I invisible?"

Once again meeting Gongshu Chou, Li Yu shared his idea for a hot air balloon. He’d wanted to make one for a long time, but never had the chance. Seeing the craftsmanship of the Gongshu family, Li Yu felt it was possible.

This time, Gongshu Chou showed Li Yu a prototype for an engine.

Smelling its familiar scent, Li Yu felt he’d finally brought something new to this world.

He pulled Gongshu Chou over and drew something on paper. Gongshu Chou, watching Li Yu’s every stroke, asked curiously, "Master Li, this looks like a house?"

Li Yu smiled, "Yes. I call it the 'Future Villa.' It’s different from current layouts—houses now are too open and uncomfortable. Many ideas are hard to realize. I asked Brother Wang to mark out some land for me outside the city. Build me ten of these first."

Gongshu Chou: "…"

Li Yu continued, "And the hot air balloon needs to be expedited—it has strategic value. Is your textile machine ready?"

Gongshu Chou replied, "I was about to tell you—it’s finished. You can take it home for trial use. The musical instruments are nearly ready as well. Master Li, what are you planning with all these?"

Li Yu said, "They’ll be useful."

He wouldn’t admit it was all for courting women—otherwise Gongshu Chou might really go mad.

Li Yu then drew an early automobile model and handed it to Gongshu Chou, "This engine may not look like much now, but its potential far surpasses your current mechanical arts. Your methods have bottlenecks; this has none. If you develop it well, it could even reach the Moon Palace."

Gongshu Chou pursed his lips, unsure whether to believe it—Li Yu was quite the braggart.

"This is a car. Try to study it," Li Yu handed over the sketch.

At that moment, a disciple of the Gongshu family approached, carrying two wooden boxes.

Gongshu Chou pointed to one, "This is the sword you commissioned. See if it matches your expectations?"

Li Yu opened the box to find a plain wooden rod, seemingly nothing special. On close inspection, it was two pieces joined together. Li Yu grasped the short end and pulled, revealing a sword reminiscent of a Tang blade, its black-purple sheen cold and heavy—about six pounds.

Gongshu Chou saw Li Yu’s satisfied expression and smiled, "I added some meteorite iron and combined it with your ironworking technique. Its quality is several times that of ordinary blades."

Li Yu swung it experimentally; it felt good. He wondered how it would fare with the Taiji sword technique—though, strictly speaking, it was a knife.

Gongshu Chou pointed to the other box, "This is the gun you designed. The gun itself was easy, but the ammunition is tricky. There are only fifteen bullets—use them sparingly."

Li Yu picked up the revolver, heavy in his hand, and asked, "Have you tested it?"

Gongshu Chou stroked his beard, "Ten bullets were used in testing. Originally there were twenty-five. This is the sixth gun; the previous ones were ruined in experiments."

Li Yu nodded, put the gun away, and thanked Gongshu Chou.

Returning home, night had fallen. Li Yu quietly made his way to Jingni’s room.

From the neighboring window, a fox’s head peeked out, watching everything unfold.