13. The Tiger and Wolf Sect

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Is there someone else? How did I not notice just now?

Xie An’s heart jolted. He instinctively tightened his grip on the dagger hidden in his sleeve and slowly turned around to look.

Approaching was a man in his forties, clad in a dark red combat suit, a broad saber hanging from his waist. His gait was powerful and commanding, like a dragon stalking and a tiger prowling. Even from over ten meters away, Xie An could feel the formidable aura radiating from him—clearly not someone to be trifled with.

Xie An recognized the attire... it resembled that of the armed patrollers in the Blood Ridge Black Market, though this was more refined.

He judged this man to be the head of the Black Market’s patrol guards or someone of similar rank.

“What business do you have here, sir?”

The man in his forties walked over to the dead bodies of Zhang Wei and Lu Wei, inspected them briefly, then disdainfully kicked the corpses twice. “I detest scoundrels who rob merchants around the Black Market—it ruins our reputation and drives traders away. Well done, brother.”

After speaking, he stopped three meters in front of Xie An and slightly cupped his hands in greeting. “I am Zhang Lin, the security officer of the Blood Ridge Black Market. Recently, the hall master issued a strict order to eradicate the banditry around here. I see that brother’s martial skill is superb—might you be interested in joining forces for a greater cause?”

Xie An understood immediately.

Zhang Lin was trying to recruit him.

“Who stands behind you?” Xie An asked.

“The Tiger-Wolf Sect.”

At the mention of those words, Xie An’s heart skipped a beat.

Having lived in Wuqiao Town for thirty years, he was naturally familiar with the notorious Tiger-Wolf Sect.

This was a major faction spanning dozens of towns, transcending the typical criminal gangs—it was a genuine martial sect, one of the two great sects in Qingwu County.

Though the words “gang” and “sect” differ by only one character, their meanings were worlds apart.

Gangs were usually temporary groups formed by rough-and-tumble individuals for mutual gain—looting, revenge, or other unlawful purposes—often disdained by the authorities.

Martial sects, however, focused on passing down teachings from master to disciple, emphasizing etiquette and tradition, and promoting martial arts. They were legitimate and often recognized by the government. Many produced disciples who entered officialdom, their influence deeply entrenched and playing a pivotal role in maintaining local stability.

Some powerful sects were called clans, esteemed to the point where even high-ranking officials and nobility paid them respect.

And a few transcendent clans were said to command such reverence that even the emperor himself would offer incense and homage.

Xie An never imagined that the Blood Ridge Black Market’s backing was the famous Tiger-Wolf Sect of Qingwu County.

Though founded only thirty years ago, this sect quickly established a strong foothold, rivaling the other major sect, the Heavenly Blade Society.

It was said that every newly appointed county magistrate must pay respects to these two great sects.

To have a martial sect grow to this stature was truly remarkable.

If Xie An were thirty years younger, he might have had a chance to pursue the imperial martial examination or compete for a position in a sect—those were the proper paths. But now at fifty, most conventional avenues for advancement were closed.

Joining a martial sect might be a viable option. After all, newly established sects eagerly sought talent and were less particular about age.

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But Xie An realized he was not well acquainted with Zhang Lin, and since they were in a remote wilderness, he had to proceed cautiously.

“Thank you for your kind invitation, Brother Zhang, but I am already advanced in years and fear I may not be up to the task.”

Zhang Lin did not press further. He pulled out a wooden token about the size of a baby’s palm and tossed it to Xie An. “This is my token. Next time you come here with it, you won’t need to pay entrance or stall fees. If one day you come to your senses, the gates of the Tiger-Wolf Sect will always be open to you.”

Xie An accepted the token, expressed his thanks, and quickly departed.

“Boss, he’s just an old man with white hair—is it really worth trying so hard to recruit him?”

After Xie An left, a saber-wielding man approached Zhang Lin, clearly puzzled.

Zhang Lin replied, “Zhou Xing, where have your eyes been? That old man just unleashed a stone bow—drawing and firing two arrows with one hand. Rough calculations suggest he can lift nearly 400 jin with a single hand, rivaling the strength of a martial artist who has entered the realm of the Gate. Moreover, his technique in instantly killing those two thugs was smooth and flawless—can you do that?”

Zhou Xing immediately lowered his head in shame.

Zhang Lin waved his hand. “This old man is no ordinary figure. The Tiger-Wolf Sect is currently in urgent need of talent. From now on, if he comes to the Black Market, you must make things convenient for him and treat him with utmost courtesy.”

Zhou Xing nodded, “Understood.”

...

By the time Xie An returned to his small hut, it was already the first quarter of the hour of the Tiger (around 3:00 AM).

“This trip to the Black Market was quite fruitful. Not only have I thoroughly mastered the latter half of the Five Animal Frolics, but I also obtained the complete set of the Fetal Breathing Technique and a heavy bow. Most delightfully... the night pot.”

“Finally dealt with that thorn in my side, Lu Wei. Now I can rest peacefully for a few days. But Lu Wei’s ambush was a wake-up call—being strong is essential in this chaotic era…”

After a simple bath, Xie An lay down to sleep.

The next morning, he rose early to inspect the pawnshop. Seeing He Chunli managing business smoothly, he slipped back to his backyard hut and began practicing archery.

Archery requires precision.

It is not easy for a novice to enter the door.

But since Xie An had already perfected his foundation with the Early Stance Skill, his stance was steady and breath even. Thanks to the Five Animal Frolics, his limbs were stable and his senses greatly enhanced. Practicing archery felt almost inspired.

After hours of repeated training, he found his rhythm—not hitting bullseyes at a hundred meters, but achieving consistent hits within the inner five to six rings.

Xie An had no ambition to become a master archer; he only sought to use the bow for self-defense. Progress would come in time.

Sheathing his bow and arrows, Xie An locked the door behind him and opened the Fetal Breathing Technique book, reading it carefully, line by line.

Though another beginner’s health cultivation technique, it was vastly different from the Five Animal Frolics.

“Those who attain fetal breathing can breathe without using nose or mouth, as if still within the womb...”

After reading through, Xie An finally gained a detailed understanding of the technique:

Ordinary people breathe through their lungs; practicing the Fetal Breathing Technique gradually suppresses lung function, instead breathing through the skin, navel, and dantian (energy center).

Once the technique reaches a certain level, external breathing transforms into internal breathing, entering the fetal breathing state—falling asleep spontaneously while refining inner energy.

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“Fall asleep spontaneously and refine inner energy... Does that mean one can practice fetal breathing even while sleeping?”

Xie An’s interest deepened.

The Five Animal Frolics were excellent, but they couldn’t be practiced during sleep.

The Fetal Breathing Technique, however, could be cultivated unconsciously during slumber, perfectly complementing the Five Animal Frolics’ shortcomings.

Practice the Five Animals by day, fetal breathing by night. What obstacle remains to becoming a true martial artist?

Moreover, one sentence in the book captivated Xie An greatly: “If one can return to the breathing state of an infant, one can achieve immortality.”

This coincided with what he had learned in his previous life’s medical studies—that a fertilized egg possesses infinite division ability and embodies eternal life.

But that was a single cell; now this was a living, breathing person...

Could it really be the same?

“The Five Animals train the body externally; the Fetal Breathing Technique refines the breath internally. Cultivating both together will surely enhance longevity greatly.”

Xie An calmed his excitement, sat cross-legged, and began practicing the mental method of the Fetal Breathing Technique.

“According to the book, the Fetal Breathing Technique has three stages: beginner (Three Forms), intermediate (Yin-Yang Interchange), and advanced (Divine Light Manifestation).”

“The first form of the Three Forms is the Danlu posture. When exhaling, imagine heat at the tailbone; when inhaling, imagine the dantian pressing against the life gate or tailbone...”

Though simple in description, the practice was surprisingly difficult.

The dantian?

Xie An didn’t even know where the dantian was, nor the life gate...

How could he imagine the dantian pressing the life gate?

Fortunately, he was patient, failing again and again but repeatedly following the book’s instructions.

From dawn until dusk—

*Ding!*

The data panel before his eyes changed.

[Successfully acquired Fetal Breathing Technique.]

[Fetal Breathing Technique: Three Forms (1/100)]