“Just passing by?”

　　“Just passing by.”

　　“Well, that’s quite a coincidence for us to meet!”

　　“It really is.” Henry Walton nodded, looked around at them, thought for a moment, and then asked, “Are you all together?”

　　“Hey!”

　　The old man shook his head helplessly, cupped his hands toward the sky with a smile, and said, “It’s nothing but a little act to entertain the audience, not worth mentioning.”

　　“So that’s how it is…”

　　“Not worth mentioning. Not worth mentioning.”

　　“We understand, we understand.”

　　It seemed that some people in the crowd had already seen through or known these tricks, but just as the old man said, it was merely a performance to amuse the audience and earn some money—there was really no need to expose it.

　　Henry Walton had already been following his cousin, slowly walking forward, passing by the group of performers, but he couldn’t help his curiosity. He stopped, turned back, and asked:

　　“May I ask, sir, the performance today, that, called the Fire Suppression Technique—could it be a magical art?”

　　“Magic?” The old man was just about to take a bite of his bun, but stopped, frowned, and replied, “If you say it’s not magic, it’s certainly not an ordinary trick either. But if you call it magic, those with real skills and true cultivation would probably laugh at us.”

　　So, it was magic after all.

　　“Well then…”

　　Henry Walton didn’t know how to phrase his question at first. After organizing his thoughts, he asked, “Aren’t those who know magic all cultivators or masters? Why are you working so hard here for such meager earnings, sir?”

　　“Hahahaha! What immortals or masters? It’s just a little trick! It can’t help us steal or rob—if we don’t earn this hard money, what else can we do?” The old man couldn’t help but laugh, tilting his head back. “Besides, we’re just passing through from the capital, heading to Xuantian Temple on Qiyun Mountain for a Daoist gathering. We’re just stopping to rest and earn some travel money along the way.”

　　The middle-aged performer nodded at this: “Earning money with our skills—there’s no shame in that, no matter how we do it. Cheating and swindling, now that’s shameful! Besides, this is a proper performance art passed down from our ancestors—it’s meant to be performed!”

　　“That makes sense.” Henry Walton nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “A Daoist gathering at Qiyun Mountain?”

　　“That’s right…”

　　“You don’t know what that is?”

　　“Your family lives here and you don’t know Qiyun Mountain? It’s one of the famous Daoist mountains. This year’s grand festival is being held at Xuantian Temple on Qiyun Mountain. We’re all just going to join in the excitement.”

　　“A famous mountain…”

　　Henry Walton frowned in thought.

　　“It’s getting dark, young gentlemen. Don’t overthink it—hurry home,” the old man said with a cheerful smile.

　　“May I ask one more question—when is the gathering?”

　　“Young man, you’ve heard too many stories. Even if you long for the path of cultivation and immortality, don’t set your heart on this. Go home.” The old man waved his hand with a smile, as if he’d seen many youngsters like them, but he was quite amiable.

　　“Thank you for your guidance, then.”

　　Henry Walton followed the local custom, saluted them to show respect, and then left with his cousin.

　　But he couldn’t help glancing back as he walked.

　　The group of performers was still sitting there, each gnawing on their buns and drinking water, chatting quietly.

　　Who knew what tricks they would perform tomorrow?

　　Or what act they would put on next?

　　Henry Walton simply quickened his pace with his cousin.

　　Luckily, they made it home before dark.

　　Henry Walton handed all the medicinal herbs to his aunt for safekeeping. He hadn’t eaten yet, so he went back to his room.

　　He took out the ancient book and quickly opened it.

　　Sure enough, a new chapter had appeared:

　　Fire Suppression Technique, a performance art.

Chapter 9: The Method of Cultivating Qi

　　“To suppress means to fill.

　　“The Fire Suppression Technique is the method of storing fire.

　　“This technique originally came from foreign lands in the Western Regions. At first, fire pills, fire oil, and syrup were put into the mouth and spat out as fire for people to watch. Those with high skill no longer needed fire-starting materials; those with lesser skill still needed to use fire as a guide.

　　“Later, an unknown Daoist improved it by incorporating the methods of cultivating and exhaling qi, creating the three levels of upper, middle, and lower. The original Fire Suppression Technique is only the lowest level.

　　“The middle-level Fire Suppression Technique requires no fire pills or fire oil, but instead uses the method of cultivating and exhaling qi to absorb the essence of fire, store it in the abdomen, and expel it when needed. Those with high skill can store the fire energy for several days or even half a month without it dissipating; those with lesser skill can only keep it for a short while. If not expelled, it may either burn oneself or dissipate into nothing.

　　“The highest level of Fire Suppression Technique requires neither fire pills nor fire oil, nor the absorption of fire energy. One simply cultivates the five qi within the body, and when needed, guides it into fire to expel. The amount of fire depends on the five qi within the body.

　　“This method is different from the fire arts of the Five Elements. Regardless of skill level, it is always ordinary fire. It can ignite, illuminate, burn people, scare horses, burn new ghosts, or drive away minor spirits, but it has no great use.

　　“Hence, it is a performance art.”

　　It seemed to have something to do with exhaling as well…

　　Henry Walton quietly finished reading the page, pinching the paper between his fingers.

　　As soon as his hand touched the page, a faint, almost imperceptible light flashed, his vision blurred, and his focus was drawn into the void of his mind, where a voice sounded.

　　It was still as if he was reciting in his mind:

　　“To practice the lower-level Fire Suppression Technique, one must prepare fire pills and fire oil, and diligently train the method of spitting and enduring. Here is a fire pill recipe from the Shangde era…”

　　The Shangde era?

　　Henry Walton caught the key point and began to ponder.

　　It seemed to have been several dynasties ago.

　　Was it the era in which the book’s author lived?

　　He didn’t dwell on it and continued reading.