I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality-Chapter 53 - 42 Double Zombie

March in the time of oriole season, peach and plum blossoms in the spring breeze.

The locust tree in Xu Qing’s yard has already sprouted new buds. The beast head skull wind chimes under the eaves lightly clink, while the traps dug at the wall roots or before and behind the house are quietly awaiting the arrival of someone with destiny.

Xu Qing practiced all night, and the Yin energy inside him grew increasingly thick and dense. Under the general knowledge sensing, there were faint signs of internal turmoil akin to flipping clouds and fog.

Unfortunately, he currently possesses a body of Daoist cultivation but lacks the means to transform skills into techniques. In simpler terms, he is like a zombie in a fierce state, relying only on brute force against enemies.

Such a vast accumulation of Yin energy should indicate a mage proficient in evil techniques, yet he wears finger tigers and uses shady street-corner tricks all day long. What kind of a picture does that paint?

Resolving to reflect deeply, Xu Qing decided to make more poisonous powder and lime powder to carry with him, thus enhancing the shortcomings of his magic attacks.

As for going out seeking Daoist teachings, that was out of the question. His funeral shop business was thriving, the neighbors spoke well, and the customers had never given negative reviews...

With such peaceful days, would he go mad and yearn to seek Daoist methods outside?

All day long, he performed funeral rites, snacked for free, and occasionally acquired some skills for self-defense and body strengthening. Wasn’t this safer than wandering aimlessly in chaotic times?

Moreover, zombies are immortal. He could guard his shop and yard, perform rites for the deceased, and cultivate his skills, becoming a secluded passerby who watches the drifting clouds and the changing tides.

Regarding Daoist techniques and demon techniques, he would only pursue them if fate brought them to him; if not, he wouldn’t specifically seek them.

After all, only the one who endures till the end is the victor.

...

At dawn, outside the Shuimen Bridge Residence.

Xu Qing wore a black-collared robe, with a blue cloth package slung on one side. With a cloth banner in hand, he would look like a wandering wild divination master.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t learned the skills of divining and face reading yet. Otherwise, he could visit the Cuiyun Building and read the palms of those impoverished girls, predicting pregnancies.

Leaving the residence, Xu Qing wore this attire, walking through streets and alleys. Occasionally, passersby asked if he had secret medicines for boosting vitality and kidney functions, as his outfit resembled that of a wandering medicine seller.

A wandering medicine seller was among the eight major professions in the Jianghu, diagnosing venereal diseases and selling folk remedies.

Xu Qing touched his chin, wondering, apart from being pale and smelling faintly of rouge, how did he become mistaken for a venereal disease doctor?

Did he look like that kind of improper person?

Xu Qing couldn’t be bothered to argue with the opposite party, but he felt strange about the sudden surge of people in Linhe these days. Initially, he thought it was a delusion, but after encountering several scholars and their attendants frequently, he suddenly realized that the spring examination was approaching.

Linhe District was already lively, and now with the arrival of these scholars, it became even more bustling.

Impoverished scholars set up bookstands on the streets, providing reading and writing services, which also counted as part-time work to support themselves.

Xu Qing watched three or several impoverished scholars gather, vying to name a newly born child, feeling moved.

However, after the scholars received the red envelopes for naming, he heard the leading impoverished scholar remark, "I’ve inquired; even the worst flower building in Linhe requires several pieces of silver per night. We’re still far from that; we need to strive harder."

Xu Qing silently withdrew his evaluation, realizing these impoverished scholars were working part-time not to support themselves, but to fund their visits to brothels!

And looking at those wealthy scholars, with oily heads and powdered faces, followed by long-term attendants, scholar’s attendants, or maidservants, one would think they were here for a spring outing if not for the examination.

Xu Qing wasn’t like these scholars. He first went to a breakfast shop and had a bowl of duck blood soup, then went to the Vegetable Market to order some old hens, before leisurely returning to the Funeral Shop.

About half an hour later, the poultry seller from the Vegetable Market delivered a dozen hens. Xu Qing placed them in the backyard of the shop for free-range, scattering wheat and millet regularly, thus saving trips to buy hens in the future.

Xu Qing indeed had the mindset for living.

As for why he didn’t raise the hens at the new residence by Shuimen Bridge, it was because that residence was too ominous, making it difficult to keep poultry alive.

...

After settling the hens, Xu Qing returned to the front shop, hearing bustling sounds outside. Stepping out, he saw Wu Yaohua at the entrance, encouraging two young lads.

One young lad was Wu Yaohua’s biological son, and the other was his distant nephew, who came from the countryside to stay for the spring examination as a child student.

"Zhiyuan, you’ve taken the child student exam before, you need to teach Wencai more. After all, we’re all one family, written on the same genealogy!"

Wu Wencai was the distant relative’s child, now somewhat shyly greeted Wu Zhiyuan at the elder’s hint.

"I’ll trouble Brother Zhiyuan from now on."

Xu Qing listened to these brothers’ names and marveled inwardly.

Wu Zhiyuan, Wu Wencai, the Wu family’s naming standards were quite extraordinary.

"Younger Brother Xu—You two come over here; this is your Uncle Xu, our neighbor, a really good person!"

Wu Yaohua saw Xu Qing standing at the shop entrance and called the two young lads over to pay respects.

"Uncle Xu."

Xu Qing almost choked upon hearing this. How did he become an uncle at such a young age?

Wu Yaohua laughed, saying, "My son spends all day reading at home, yet hasn’t had the chance to meet you. Finally, he sees you today..."

What kind of talk was this? Should I give your son a red envelope too?

Xu Qing faced the sudden promotion of a generation level and had no choice.

After all, he became the shopkeeper at a young age.

After chatting for a while, Xu Qing learned that the two young lads were heading to the government office for a pre-examination identity check.

Such checks involved taking the travel permit and tooth card to the government office for registration. Once your background was verified as clean, without criminal records, the officials would issue a written receipt, akin to an examination permit.

Xu Qing thought this was great!

Let’s go together!

The current situation was turbulent, with frequent chaos at the borders. Not to mention the mutiny in Beizhao Prefecture, the repeated invasions of Dayong by the south, if not for the valiant soldiers from the Shu Region and the natural barriers of Taodu Mountain, the enemy might have already penetrated Dayong’s heartland.

Moreover, the Celestial Heart Sect showed signs of rebellion. The Imperial Court might conscript troops in the future, and Xu Qing didn’t want his thriving funeral business suddenly interrupted by being drafted.

But if he were to attain the title of Scholar, he would be exempt from such concerns.

According to Dayong’s laws, anyone with the title of Scholar is exempt from military service, enjoys various privileges like not bowing to officials and being exempt from taxation.

"Ultimately, the pursuit of civil service still prevails."

Xu Qing thought, if his previous life’s South Korea had such laws, the number of people taking the Scholar exam yearly would stretch from the south to the north of the city!

Where did his confidence in taking the Scholar exam come from? It related to the Scripture of Books he obtained from helping that lickspittle scholar at the Corpse Worker Mill.

The Scripture of Books contained plenty of examination essays and articles. Now, seizing the opportunity to pursue the titles of child student and Scholar, Xu Qing had to grasp it well!

Once he became a Scholar, he would be a truly formidable zombie with both literary and martial prowess!