Chapter Eight: The Yin-Yang Cavalry Secret Technique

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Taking advantage of Elder Yuan’s distraction, I quietly knelt upright, grabbed the corner of the red cloth, lifted it, and peeked inside. On the ancestral tablet was just a plain white sheet of paper—without even a name on it!

Is this the founder of our family?

Wide-eyed, I asked Elder Yuan, “Elder Yuan, is our founder named ‘Blank Slate’?”

Elder Yuan was momentarily stunned, then broke into a broad grin. He slapped me hard on the back and said, “You little rascal! You’ve got guts!”

Seeing that strange smile and the gleam in his eyes, I immediately wanted to stand up, but he pushed me back down.

“By daring to lift the curtain, you’ve shown courage and keen observation—you know how to seize the moment. You’ve been accepted.”

“This shrine is a challenge left by our founder. If you just kneel there motionless, no matter how long, you won’t be accepted.”

Elder Yuan went on, “I’ll be honest with you: the founder you’re worshipping really has nothing to do with the Yuan family. What I’m teaching you is a different kind of skill.”

“Though the Yuan family’s secret arts are formidable and unrestrained, it’s best to avoid using them if possible. Besides, to learn their arts, you need other skills as a foundation; otherwise, you risk being devoured by the fierce spirits you summon.”

He pulled out a book as he spoke. “What I’m going to teach you is this: The Yin-Yang Scout Techniques.”

I was dumbfounded. “You’re going to teach me with a book?”

Elder Yuan’s eyes snapped open. “What’s wrong with teaching from a book? When you go to school, don’t teachers use books to lecture? It’s the same principle.”

He made a good point, but I still felt like he was pulling my leg.

Elder Yuan explained, “A scout—also called a sentry—was an ancient reconnaissance soldier. They gathered intelligence, mapped terrain, cleared enemy sentries, captured informants, and even assassinated opposing generals. In ancient times, there was a special scout unit called the ‘Treading White Army.’ Its leader was known as the ‘White-Tread General,’ a figure of great importance.”

“The earliest scouts had to venture into wild and untamed lands, facing not only humans but poisonous beasts, mountain spirits, water demons, vengeful ghosts, formations, and sorcerers—all potential dangers.”

“Thus, ancient scouts developed specific methods to deal with ghosts and deities, forming the prototype of the Yin-Yang Scout Techniques.”

“Later, retired scouts roamed the martial world, improving the techniques. A sorcerer named Yu Ming perfected them, and for a time, these techniques dominated the realm.”

“After Yu Ming’s death, the Yin-Yang Scout Techniques were lost, and the Yin-Yang scouts vanished without a trace.”

According to Elder Yuan, if I mastered the Yin-Yang Scout Techniques, I would be the last Yin-Yang Scout.

If I reached the level of ‘Yellow Springs White-Tread General’ within ten years, I would be powerful enough to roam the martial world freely.

I found Elder Yuan’s words hard to believe. God knows where he got that book. He hadn’t even practiced it himself—how could he be sure it would give me mastery over the world?

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After I began practicing the Yin-Yang Scout Techniques, I discovered they seemed tailor-made for me.

Not only did I learn everything quickly, but I could also fill in some gaps on my own.

In just five years, I mastered the entire system, though I never verified what level I had reached.

Elder Yuan didn’t understand those finer details either, and I had no way to test myself.

Still, he insisted I train for ten years before leaving the sect. Seventeen was too young to wander the martial world; he wanted me to wait another five years.

During those years, my grandfather never came looking for me. However, every birthday, I received a handwritten letter from him. Recognizing his handwriting and knowing he was safe gave me peace of mind.

Elder Yuan was constantly searching for the whereabouts of the Thirteen Ghost Gates.

He devised a plan for me.

After I graduated, I was to first establish my own reputation. Then, I would simultaneously search for the Thirteen Ghost Gates and wait for them to come to me.

By working both ways, it would be easier to uncover clues.

For ten years under Elder Yuan’s guidance, I kept a low profile but still earned the nickname “Little Third Lord” on Fengshui Street.

On the day I graduated, Elder Yuan posted a notice to everyone on Fengshui Street: he was retiring from the martial world and passing the number one position on Taiping Street to me.

That day, Elder Yuan made a grand spectacle. He was carried in an eight-bearer sedan chair to the street entrance.

When the chair’s curtain was lifted, stacks of hundred-yuan bills were placed on the ground for him to step on as he walked toward the courtyard.

With each step, another stack was laid down. Just that short walk cost four hundred thousand in cash.

The announcer at the gate shouted at the top of his lungs, “Forty years roaming the martial world, now retiring clean. Congratulations to Elder Yuan the Third Lord, who lays down his sword and leaves the world behind.”

Elder Yuan waved his hand and slowly walked to the center of the courtyard. The announcer shouted again, “Please perform the cleansing ritual.”

“One wash, the disputes of the martial world vanish.”

“Two washes, the grudges of the martial world end.”

“Three washes, the karmic ties are severed.”

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“The martial world is no longer our land; free as clouds and wild cranes, we enjoy our freedom. Ceremony complete—”

Elder Yuan wiped his hands with a towel and gestured for the announcer to continue.

“Please, Little Third Lord, ascend the mountain peak and take the first seat on Taiping Street.”

Elder Yuan smiled warmly and handed me the Snowfall Dagger. “Our family heirloom is yours now. Go forth!”

I took the dagger with both hands just as someone shouted, “Wait!”

Turning around, I saw a man step forward. “Elder Yuan, I congratulate you on your retirement, but whether this Little Third Lord deserves the top seat on Taiping Street, I think—”

“Enough of your nonsense!” Elder Yuan grabbed the edge of the basin and flipped it upward. The copper basin, filled with water, spun twice in the air before dumping its entire contents onto that man.

The dagger in my hand instantly slid free. I moved to the man’s side and stabbed downward through the falling basin. The dagger pierced the copper basin, and I pressed the basin and blade onto his face.

Everyone present gasped in shock. I released the dagger and stepped back.

Elder Yuan chuckled, “If anyone tries to flip the basin off, and my grandson’s blade was less than half an inch from that fool’s nose, even if he’s not skilled, we would immediately leave Taiping Street.”

Someone timidly approached and lifted the basin. The dagger had not actually touched the man’s nose, but he was so frightened he collapsed with a loud thud.

As for whether the dagger was really half an inch from his nose—who had the presence of mind to check?

Elder Yuan casually tossed a stack of bills at the man’s feet. “Take him to get treated. Don’t die from the blade, die from fright.”

The man’s companions dared not say a word and hurriedly carried him away.

Elder Yuan cupped his fists to those present. “Today I retire from the martial world. My old rules no longer apply. But I must establish new rules for my grandson, Yuan Zheng.”

“My grandson will only accept life-or-death jobs involving driving away ghosts and evil spirits. Furthermore, if anyone on Fengshui Street can take a job, we will not accept it.”

“Please, uncles and elders, continue to watch over him. I, an old man, will never forget the kindness shown to me.”