There was no title.

It was a strange book.

Lucas froze for a moment, suddenly remembering that when he had gone back into the ancestral hall after waking up, he had seen something similar in the dark—square, book-like. At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, assuming it had been left by the man who fled. His mind had been too foggy, filled with too many thoughts, so he hadn’t paid it any attention, just grabbing his bedding, machete, and oil lamp before leaving.

Could it be the same one?

Lucas picked up the book.

When he flipped it open, all the pages were blank.

Only the first page had writing.

It read:

**Breathing Technique** 

A common method used by spirits and demons.

 

### Chapter Title: The Art of Breathing

Lucas held the ancient book in his hands, reading aloud in a low voice, “Breathing Techniques. A common method used by spirits and demons. Once a being attains the Way, their body naturally produces vital energy. By expelling it, various effects can be achieved.”

He continued reading, intrigued, “This method requires no practice. The energy is naturally expelled, making it the most common technique used by spirits and demons. Different beings have different types of energy, leading to various effects. Some expel yellow energy to confuse the mind, black energy to obscure vision, gray energy to induce sleep, and white energy to heal.”

Lucas was startled. Could this be a book on magic techniques?

The room was silent, the only sound was the rustling of pages as Lucas flipped through the book. As his fingers touched the pages, he noticed a faint glow, barely visible, and his eyes grew unfocused. The following pages were blank, but a voice echoed in his mind.

“The heavens have five energies; all things are born of them. Spirits are the essence of this energy, attaching themselves to objects…”

The words were strange, like a voice without sound, echoing in his mind as if he were reciting a poem to himself.

“Spirits and demons expel energy, mostly dark or ghostly energy. Unless highly skilled, humans can resist it through sheer will and vitality, often winning the battle…”

The voice detailed the technique of expelling energy. It explained that while spirits naturally knew how to do this, humans could also learn it, although the method for humans was more complex and dangerous. The voice even warned against using it unless absolutely necessary.

Lucas was stunned. Could ordinary people really expel energy without any special training?

The information from the book made Lucas realize why he felt so weak and disoriented. It wasn’t just the tension of the night; the spirit had used its energy on him, weakening his vitality. He needed to rest and recover.

But where had this book come from? Was there some connection he didn’t know about?

As he pondered, Lucas couldn’t remember anything specific. But why had this technique appeared to him now? Was it related to the spirit’s breath from last night?

As he slowly regained his composure, Lucas turned the book over in his hands, but the only page with text was the one about the breathing technique. The rest of the pages were blank.

Lucas couldn’t help but wonder—how could he reveal more of the book’s secrets? Where could he find someone who practiced these magical arts?

There was a temple in the village dedicated to a local goddess, said to be very effective, but the caretaker was just an ordinary widow who lived off the temple’s offerings. She didn’t seem to possess any real powers, at least not as far as Lucas knew.

As he thought about it, Lucas’s mind drifted back to the events of the previous night. That spirit, whatever it was, had seemed almost human, perhaps even more intriguing than some of the villagers he knew.

How many spirits and demons could there be in this world? And how many of those old tales were true?

With these thoughts swirling in his head, Lucas eventually fell asleep, only to be awakened later by his aunt calling him to eat.

Given the recent troubles at home, their meals were simple, but knowing that Lucas had spent the night in the Wang family’s ancestral hall and had returned with thirty taels of silver, his aunt cooked fish porridge and even boiled an egg for him to boost his strength.

“There’s no need to worry, Aunt. Twenty taels are the reward from the Wang family, and the other ten are for Uncle’s medicine. The old master said they would cover all of his treatment,” Lucas explained.

His aunt, looking older and more worn, furrowed her brow even deeper. “People can be polite, but can you really trust them?”

“Old Master Wang has a reputation for being generous and values his name. He even has descendants in the capital. He wouldn’t go back on his word,” Lucas replied, trying to reassure her.

His cousin chimed in, “Mother’s right, though. We can’t rely on others too much. But if this money can cure Uncle, that would be the best outcome.”

Lucas agreed silently, keeping his head down as he ate.

His aunt and cousin then reminded him not to take such risks again. They spoke about the family’s hopes for him and how he needed to live up to his father’s expectations. Lucas listened quietly, still feeling a bit foggy-headed.

Despite the family’s troubles, there was no time for proper rest. After breakfast, his cousin went to care for their uncle, while Lucas took a basket and a sickle to cut grass to feed the village’s cattle.

The cattle weren’t his family’s, but the entire village’s. The village was so tightly bound by kinship and tradition that Lucas’s family, though outsiders, were treated as part of the community, expected to help out where needed.

Lucas didn’t mind cutting the grass. It was just something to do. But today, he felt unusually tired, his thoughts wandering as he worked. It took him longer than usual to fill the basket, and his back ached by the time he headed home.

On the way back, he encountered a group of children.

“Hey! It’s Lucas the scholar!”

“Yeah, it’s really him! When are you heading out?”

Before Lucas could respond, an elderly voice called out from behind him.

“Lucas.”

Turning around, Lucas saw the village elder, leaning on his cane, looking at him with concern. “I heard you didn’t come back last night. Did you really go to Heng Village?”

“I did,” Lucas replied honestly.

“And you went to the ancestral hall?”

“Yes.”

“What happened? Did you see anything?”

“Grandpa Shu,” Lucas began, looking at the elder who had told him so many stories of spirits and monsters, and who had directed him to the Wang family’s ancestral hall the day before. After a long pause, he finally said, “There really are spirits in this world…”

This simple statement was filled with deep emotion, a newfound understanding of the world that had come to him in just one night.

The elder, seeing Lucas’s seriousness, also became thoughtful. “If you encountered one, then so be it. The world is vast and full of mysteries. Don’t be afraid, especially don’t scare yourself. Just rest and don’t overthink it.”

“Grandpa Shu.”

“Yes?”

“If there are spirits, are there also gods? Are there ways to cultivate and learn magic?”

“Of course, there are gods! Why would we have been worshipping them all these years if they didn’t exist?” The elder replied without hesitation. “As for cultivation and magic, you’ll come across those as you venture out into the world. Over time, you’ll see what’s real and what’s not.”

So, there really are such things, Lucas thought.

“And where can I find these people and their magic?”

“That depends on fate,” the elder said with a smile.

“Fate…” Lucas repeated.

“Why are you thinking about these things? You’re young—focus on your studies. There are plenty of people who’d love to have the opportunity you have.”

“I understand…”

“Now, go home and rest. Don’t overdo it.”

The elder could see the weariness on Lucas’s face and probably thought he had just returned from Heng Village out of a mix of youthful bravado and curiosity. He patted Lucas on the shoulder, offering comfort, and then continued on his way, taking the children with him.

Lucas, carrying his basket of grass, headed home as well.

That evening, a group of people from Heng Village arrived, all of them surnamed Wang. Some brought stinky mandarin fish, others cured meat, wine, food boxes, and even a bolt of cloth. They made their way through the village, drawing curious looks from the locals.

If they hadn’t been carrying these items, it might have looked like they were there for a wedding proposal.

Upon inquiry, it was revealed that Lucas had spent the night at the Wang family’s ancestral hall, stayed the entire night, and even convinced the spirit that had been causing trouble to leave. The Wang family had come to express their gratitude.

 

### Chapter Title: The Hidden Power

Lucas was in his room, experimenting with the ancient book that lay in his hands. Following the instructions in the book, he slowly exerted force, starting from his toes and moving the energy up to his abdomen. Then, he guided the energy from his head down to his stomach, forcing the two forces to merge together.

As he concentrated, the pressure built up until he felt lightheaded, and suddenly, a surge of heat flooded through his body.

"Is this the yang energy the book mentioned?" Lucas thought, feeling the intense heat inside him. He didn’t dare to release it just yet. Instead, he followed the book’s instructions to carefully contain the energy, allowing it to dissipate naturally back into his body. Only then did he let out a long breath, feeling a mix of relief and disbelief.

“Could it be real? Can ordinary people actually expel energy like this?”

His eyes widened in surprise. The world was turning out to be far more mysterious than he had ever imagined.

Just then, he heard some commotion outside. Lucas got up and walked to the window, confirming that his body and mind felt just as they had before the experiment. He opened the window to see several people from the Wang family arriving, carrying what seemed like gifts.

It seemed the Wang family was making sure their gratitude was properly expressed, sending more than just the promised food and drink. The Wang family’s steward had come in person, along with the servant Lucas had met before.

Lucas’s aunt, flustered by the unexpected visit, quickly welcomed them in, while Lucas hurried out to greet them as well.

The steward, a sharp and polite man, exchanged pleasantries with Lucas and his aunt before asking to see Lucas’s uncle. After a quick examination of the uncle’s condition and a discussion about the doctor’s treatment, the steward nodded approvingly. He then asked to see the prescription, quickly calculating the cost, and took out ten more taels of silver, fulfilling Old Master Wang’s promise.

The servant who had spoken with Lucas earlier also mentioned how the Wang family had reacted after Lucas left, which helped ease Lucas’s anxiety over receiving such generous gifts.

As dusk approached, the visitors took their leave, having stayed just long enough to complete their duties. In the end, Lucas’s overnight stay in the ancestral hall, which was originally worth ten taels, had earned him forty taels of silver and numerous other gifts—a fortune for an ordinary family.

Lucas’s aunt stored away the cloth and hung up the cured meat. She placed the stinky mandarin fish in the kitchen and safely stowed the wine. All that was left were the dishes brought by the Wang family.

The food was delicious: dried bamboo shoots from last year’s harvest, cooked with fatty pork in rich soy sauce, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. Fresh bamboo shoots, tender and crisp, were boiled with cured meat, creating a savory dish that could melt on your tongue. There was also fish head tofu and a medley of stewed fish, all served with steaming white rice, each grain firm and separate.

Without a doubt, it was the best meal Lucas had had since arriving in this world. As he ate, his thoughts faded away, replaced by simple enjoyment.

With the worry over his uncle’s medicine money resolved, and a good meal in his belly, Lucas felt a sense of peace and contentment. It was a reminder that happiness could be found in simple pleasures.

His aunt, who had given the best portions of the meal to Lucas and his cousin, sighed, “We wanted you to focus on your studies, but who would have thought we’d end up relying on you to earn money like this? Your father would be furious if he knew.”

“He wouldn’t...” Lucas replied, swallowing a mouthful of food. “The steward seems reliable. He mentioned that there will be a temple fair in the city soon. Many merchants from outside will come, including herbalists and medicine sellers, and their prices will be lower. Even if we’re unsure about the quality of the herbs sold by street vendors, we can still go to a reputable pharmacy in the city, and it should be cheaper than usual.”

His aunt nodded in agreement. “We have enough medicine to last your uncle a few more days. We’ll avoid those street vendors and go to the same pharmacy we bought from before. Hopefully, it will indeed be cheaper.”

His cousin agreed, but Lucas’s thoughts were elsewhere.

There were two temple fairs nearby. One was in their village, a small event at the San Gu Temple, which had just passed. The other, larger one was the Luo Xian Temple Fair in the city, held every year on the second day of the second lunar month.

Lucas remembered that it was during last year’s Luo Xian Temple Fair that he had nearly drowned, only to be saved by his uncle. He had spent several days recovering in bed, missing the fair entirely. Though his family’s situation was tight, the early spring festival was a rare opportunity for fun, and the rest of the family had gone while Lucas was bedridden.

Lucas recalled lying in bed, pondering life, while his cousin Lin Qi, who was envious of the fair, had sat beside him, recounting all the sights and sounds he had missed: the Luo Xian statue paraded through the streets, dancing figures, a variety of snacks and trinkets, fortune tellers under the bridges, and various magical performances.

Fortune tellers… Magic shows… Lucas wondered whether these were merely tricks or if there was something genuinely mystical about them. Could these things possibly react to the ancient book?

“Lucas needs to study, and after spending the night in that ancestral hall, who knows if it’s taken a toll on him... Lin Qi, you’ll be going alone, so be careful,” his aunt fretted.

“I’ll be fine, Mother,” his cousin assured her.

“Aunt,” Lucas said, wiping his mouth as he considered his words. “I’ve heard from Grandpa Shu, who often tells stories at the lower bridge pavilion, that after dealing with a spirit, one might be tainted by its energy or attract other impurities. I went to pay my respects at the San Gu Temple on my way back from cutting grass, but I’ve also heard that the Luo Xian Temple in the city is very effective. I think it’s best if I go to pay my respects as well.”

His aunt agreed immediately. “Then Lin Qi should go with you. You’ve read more books, so you’re less likely to be tricked. He can carry the things you buy.”

“That works for me.”

“Did you really see a spirit there?”

“In my dreams...”

“What was it like? Tell us!”

People of that era were naturally curious about such things, and Lucas’s family was no exception, though their concern was more personal. Lucas, still thinking about food and the upcoming temple fair, had to set aside his thoughts and recount the events of the previous night in even greater detail than he had that morning.

A few days later, the temple fair arrived.

“Let’s go!”

Before dawn, Lucas’s cousin had already packed a large basket with bamboo shoots and called for Lucas to join him on the road to the city.

Lucas tucked the ancient book into his belongings and carried a smaller basket as well.

Shu Village was two hours’ walk from the city, and the path was rugged. The local saying, “Deep forests and village streams, more hills than fields,” fit perfectly. The mountains here were vast, covered with dense bamboo forests that blocked out the sun even during the day. In the early morning darkness, the path through the woods was pitch black.

As the wind rustled the bamboo leaves, Lucas, still weakened from his encounter with the spirit, couldn’t shake the feeling that shadows were moving among the trees.

If only he had a machete, it might give him some courage.

Fortunately, the sky began to lighten as they walked. By the time they had covered some distance, dawn had broken, and the rising sun lifted their spirits.

The road gradually filled with people. In those days, markets were rare, and anyone who wanted to buy or sell something had to go to the city. Many poor farmers carried heavy loads, slowly merging from the village paths onto the main road, forming a stream of people that was both awe-inspiring and reassuring.

As the crowd grew, the atmosphere became lively, dispelling any lingering fears of spirits or ghosts.

Finally, the city gates came into view.

“Dump your bamboo shoots into my basket. I’ll go sell them in Lantern Alley. You go buy the medicine—you’re better at bargaining. Once you’ve got it, meet me on the street behind Luo Xian Temple. We can catch a magic show if we’re not too late. Even if it’s still going on, it’ll be hard to find a good spot.”

These bamboo shoots were the result of his cousin’s hard work, carefully dug up while they were still tender. He was confident they would sell well.

Lucas agreed and made his way through the city. The closer he got to Luo Xian Temple, the busier it became, with many voices speaking in accents from other regions.

This annual temple fair, with its varying sizes and significance depending on the year, attracted merchants and scholars from afar. Even though the Luo Xian Temple Fair wasn’t the biggest, its popularity had grown thanks to the local prosperity.

It was still early in the day, but the streets were already crowded with vendors, most of them from out of town. Even the city’s patrolling officers had traded their iron rulers for swords.

Lucas saw many stalls selling medicinal herbs and tinctures. He inquired about the prices but didn’t linger, instead making his way quickly to the well-known Ji Shi Tang pharmacy. With the information he had gathered earlier, he managed to negotiate a good deal, buying enough medicine at a discount.

When Lucas left the pharmacy, the streets were even

 more crowded. People moved like rivers, and the noise was deafening, making it hard to hear anything clearly.

This kind of bustling scene was something Lucas had rarely experienced, even in his previous life.

He adjusted his basket, now hanging in front of him, and began pushing his way through the crowd. Heading towards Luo Xian Temple, he soon noticed a group of people gathered around, craning their necks to see something in the center. The sound of gasps and exclamations suggested it was a magic show.