Important: Report to the City Lord's manor if you see a hunchbacked old cultivator, with long white hair and beard. Any confirmed sighting will be rewarded with thirty silver coins and apprehension would be rewarded with two gold coin.

The cultivator was wearing a grey robe with the Qing clan's insignia when last seen. He is suspected to have hands in the killing of the master of the Qing clan. He goes by the name of Qin Li.

Mortals: He is in the second stage of Body Tempering, approach with caution.

Multiple posters were stuck on the wall near the street square. There was a group of four cultivators in azure robes and swords hanging on their waist reading them.

"Wow, these posters are everywhere. Do they really believe we are so stupid that this cultivator was involved in the Qing clan's Patriarch murder?", an incredulous voice came from within.

a middle-aged Daoist spoke up, "He barely has any cultivation so how can he be involved? I believe he got some soup after the senior took that treasure. A treasure that could incite that Elder, imagine what wondrous thing it must have been. What that Elder viewed as trash would be priceless to us and this Qin Li fellow got it. If I find this person, I would kill him and run away. Who knows, maybe I would be able to break into True Qi realm."

"Hah- you are already past forty, old man, leave this for the younger generation like us. They are not so stupid to believe that we would be doing their bidding. I think this is for the mortals or lower cultivators, they are many times more than us, the target is barely stronger than a normal person and the money just for confirmed sighting is a few months salary.", a young girl spoke in a thoughtful voice.

A grinning youth commented while scratching his beard., "Looks like, we are in competition with the city lord. Now that the Qing clan, their only rival is gone, the city lord should be very happy. Let's pull the rug out of him for this one."

=========

My eyes opened before dawn. The first thing I checked was my neck. Not finding the necklace, I felt a pang of regret. I expected something like it but not seeing the necklace still made me nervous.

If someone else could see it, they will definitely want to steal it, I had no idea how to safeguard something that I could neither see nor feel. I would have to keep this in mind for the future.

Nevertheless, I would be out sightseeing today. I had to find a place with some books, I would naturally read them to understand more. More difficult topics could be asked obliquely. Getting ready, I felt a stubble of beard. Maybe it was a good idea to grow it. Really lean into being an old experienced person in this world.

I could feel the spring in my steps as I went down to have breakfast and get some information from the kind and plump innkeeper. But I noticed things were a lot quieter but more excitable today. I asked the innkeeper about the situation.

The innkeeper practically was bubbling with excitement as he said in a whisper, "Did you know that the Patriarch of the Qing clan was killed? He was the second strongest person in this city after the city lord. He was very highhanded and a lot of people in this part of town had to pay him taxes to operate around here. Us mortals don't have any rights to refuse a cultivator of such high standing. Now that he is gone, we don't have to pay any taxes other than the one paid to the city. This is the second-best news I've heard all week."

He paused for a moment and continued in the normal voice, "There is also a wanted poster added by the city lord. A few guards put them up there." He pointed towards a scroll with a hand-drawn picture of a person along with some letters.

I was pretty curious to see how they handled this. Reading the description, however, I felt a chill run down my spine. The excitement for the first day vanished as if it was never there.

Heavy-hearted, I returned to the counter. My plan for today would need to be changed if I wasn't going out. At least, the description that they had was wrong. The previous Han Li was truly cautious. I asked for breakfast while I thought of what to do.

He could simply ask the innkeeper about his questions, but he would be seen as ignorant at best and suspicious at worst. Either way, he could still ask the innkeeper some questions.

As he went, he heard the innkeeper talking to the other patron while laughing and thanking him loudly. The innkeeper looked at his raised eyebrows and came to him with even greater fervor, "I was actually just telling him, that Ming'er, my daughter, reached the second stage of body-tempering at barely nine years old." clearly expecting to be praised.

"Congratulations.", I wanted to say more but I had no idea, what her daughter had. It was clearly not a bad thing though. I took a drink to not have to say something. I also kept my smile so that he doesn't get offended. Before I could start asking my questions. He interrupted me, "Old man, you must have a lot of experience and friends. Do you know any cultivators? I am willing to host you here for a week if you can introduce me. I want my daughter to know some things that cultivators know before I send her to try her luck at the sect."

I found myself smiling at an idea, "Ahem, I am actually a cultivator." It was a bit embarrassing but I would gladly put up with it.

The innkeeper looked at me dumbfounded. He started to point at me but thought better of it. He bowed his head and put his hands together in a weird way. "This humble innkeeper greets you, Senior. I hope I haven't offended you. You have to forgive me but I never felt your aura at all. This is a mortal Inn and I apologize for the lack of comfort."

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I slowly drank some water again to stall for some time. I could feel that he was still suspicious but didn't act on it. There was no asking for identification at all. Well, I still need to give it, my plan won't work if he doesn't believe me to be a cultivator. Aura, was it?

If the aura is anything similar to what he believes then it shouldn't be too hard to display it. His being a cultivator wasn't untrue so he at least met the requirements. Closing his eyes, he started to imagine the anger and frustration he felt every day when he performed the ritual without any results. He tried to channel those feelings out of him and surprisingly he felt a connection. He felt connected to some of the air particles around him and he *asked* them to surround the innkeeper.

He wanted to make sure that the innkeeper felt him. When he finally opened his eyes though, he found the innkeeper kneeling with his back wet and the inn empty. He hurriedly stopped *breathing out*. This was clearly not good. Was Aura a different thing? Did I mess up in my first step?

I couldn't jump over the counter so I asked him to stand up. When he shakily stood up, I put my hands in the same weird way he apologized without bowing. " I apologize innkeeper. I didn't realize it would cause this much inconvenience. I just wanted to remove your doubt, I truly believed this much aura would be nothing to you." Deflecting the blame was my best bet.

"You have nothing to apologize for, elder. I was the foolish one to doubt you.", the innkeeper thought, merely doubting you had me on my knees. Had I voiced my suspicion, would I be dead? Truly, dealing with cultivators is courting death.

"Well, bring out your daughter. I wanted to ask some questions and if I am satisfied, I will teach her a few things.", Seeing him hesitate, I added, "you have my word, that I won't harm your daughter."

"Yes, yes, please wait, elder. I would bring her right now."

While waiting, I remembered the feeling of connection. I would be trying it out today again. It felt so good to be connected to those particles, it had the feeling of being in control of the world around you. Truly awesome. I came to myself as I heard some noises and the innkeeper came almost running towards me. I could feel their tension, otherwise, I would have laughed at the comical sight.

He bowed to me again and went towards the door of the inn before closing it. He was truly taking this very seriously. I started feeling a little bad for giving him false hope but I cannot live in ignorance anymore.

Finally turning my attention back to the counter, I saw a little girl of barely ten years old standing near the corner with eyes on the floor. I don't know what I expected but she seemed like a normal girl. I got a feeling of a bit tomboyish, perhaps. She had shoulder-length hair and was wearing a white robe with some flowers knitted on them. There was nothing special that he could find, which made her suitable for cultivation. It probably wasn't an outside thing.

As the silence stretched where I didn't know if I should start asking. I heard the innkeeper coming and beckoned her daughter to come in front. "Meng'er greet this Elder here, he is a cultivator and he wants to ask you some questions. Do your best to answer him."

I waved my hand to the innkeeper and asked him to bring some paper and writing equipment.

"Luo Heng greets elder." After her bowing was done, I finally confirmed, this was a way to greet people, and depending on how low you bow, the more respect you give. I had the vanishing youth, the innkeeper, and this girl for reference.

"Alright then, what is your father's name?"

"Luo Ling."

"What is the name of this city?"

"Golden Willow city."

"Which sects do you know about?"

She looked up nervously, "I know that there is a Purple Mist Sect but I haven't heard of any other."

Meanwhile, Luo Ling arrived with a bunch of papers, ink, and a brush. He stood up stiffly behind his daughter with his eyes down.

Holding up a copper coin, "What is this?"

"A copper coin."

Holding up a silver coin, "How many copper coins until this?"

"100 copper coins."

Holding up a gold coin, " How many silver coins until I reach this?"

Surprise touching her voice, "50 silver coins."

"Alright, what is cultivation?"

Her eyes shined as she responded, "Cultivation is the way to take control of your own fate and defy heaven's will. It is a way to become immortal and gather strength to twist rivers and shatter mountains."

Awesome. Finally, so basically a method to get magic. But how exactly do I do it?

"What is your cultivation level?"

Her back straightened as she answered, "I reached the second stage of body-tempering three days ago."

"What is Qi?"

"Qi is the energy that flows through everything. We use Qi to cultivate and without it, cultivation would be impossible."

Hmm, so fuel for magic? Possibly.

"What is a Daoist?"

She suddenly got a lot more flustered but still stammered out, "The one who foll- follows the Dao."

That is not an answer, you cheeky kid, Hmm, she has helped me a lot already. No need to burden her too much. Umm, maybe homework would work.

"What is Dao?"

"I am afraid, I don't know elder. Dao is something I have never thought about. I apologize for not giving you a satisfactory answer."

Is this world always so long-winded? It's going to get tiring quickly if I have to keep this up.

Seeing no need to torment the young, I laughed partially to lessen her nervousness and winked, "Well, if you don't know, then ask. Sometimes that is the quickest way to an answer. "

I drank some more water to hide my smile before continuing.

"Before I can guide you, I need to know how you cultivate, step-by-step. As you yourself said, cultivation is going against heaven's will. And I would not want to guide you without knowing everything."

"Write it all down along with your answer on why do you want to achieve immortality by evening. I will be in my room."

"Fellow Daoist Luo, I hope to see you soon."

As long as I get my hands on that guide, I can start cultivating tonight.

Coming back to his room, he took a few deep breaths before crossing out today's goals.

His least important goal was to find out if the owner was high-charging him but since his room is free for a week, that goal was pushed for later.

The second goal was to get a job to start earning as soon as possible. No headway here but I got a buffer time for a week at least.

The most important goal was to understand the words. Qi, Cultivator, and Daoist. Which he absolutely did. well, maybe not very absolutely.

But by tonight, he can try out cultivation, a goal I didn't even think of. That vanishing youth could vanish. Maybe, just maybe, I could fly.

It was still morning outside. Well, maybe I could sleep again and check out my body from that necklace.

He didn't want to poke on something he didn't understand but it was either this or potentially getting captured and he wasn't in the mood for prison time until he understood his risks better.

Poking around it is.