Chapter Twelve: The Heavenly Punishment of the Small Eight Trigrams

  "Alright master, I know I was wrong. This time it's not that the arrow is on the string and I have no way out. In the future, I will definitely change." Seeing Mao Xiaofang was really angry, Jiang Le hurriedly admitted his mistake.

  But Mao Xiaofang saw in his eyes that if he encountered this kind of thing again, the kid would definitely take action.

  This is an innate problem.

  Mao Xiaofang felt both helpless and relieved.

  Jiang Le's nature was something he was glad to see, after all, no one liked their own disciples to be cold-blooded and ruthless.

  But in doing anything, one must be mindful of his own strength, this kid overestimates his own ability.

  "Hmph, you don't need to pretend with me either. What are you thinking? I can see right through it. It seems that my guidance for you needs to be accelerated, otherwise if you really encounter a formidable demon or evil spirit, you'll die without even knowing how." Mao Xiaofang said seriously.

  Jiang Le's eyes lit up and he happily said: "Master, you arrange it, I will definitely complete it perfectly."

  Two consecutive battles made him thoroughly fall in love with the profession of Taoist, which has great potential. As long as he can learn more useful things, he will definitely work hard and forget to eat and sleep.

  Mao Xiaofang was very satisfied with Jiang Le's learning attitude and finally stopped being angry, starting to teach seriously.

  "To become a qualified Taoist, apart from cultivating magical powers, one must also learn to draw talismans, cast spells and recognize evil spirits."

  "Master, I know how to draw talismans," Jiang Le asked curiously, "but how do you cast the spell?"

  Mao Xiaofang said: "What is called applying the law is also known as martial skills."

  "Kung fu?" Jiang Le exclaimed in surprise: "Could it be that Master still knows kung fu? Can you take on a thousand with one hit?"

  Mao Xiaofang's words were stuck in her throat, and she glared at Jiang Le with a bad temper: "Why didn't you let me hit one million? Do you want to exhaust me to death?"

  Jiang Le chuckled dryly. He thought to himself, I hope you can too, that way Brother will be able to become a public enemy of the people, this is the prestige of a general on the battlefield.

  "Hmm, listen carefully, no more interruptions. Taoist martial arts are divided into two types: one is to cultivate and nourish the body, strengthening the physique; the other is close combat, subduing demons and evil spirits. For now, you don't need to learn the health-cultivating techniques, but for close combat, there's the Heavenly Gate Step, Seven Stars Sword Technique, and Eight Trigrams Palm Technique. The first thing you need to learn is the Heavenly Gate Step."

  "Tiān Gāng Step? The name sounds pretty cool. Can you teach me now?" Jiang Le asked expectantly.

  Mao Xiaofang smiled slyly and nodded: "Of course, watch closely, I'll play it for you once."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Mao Xiaofang's figure flashed to the middle of the room, then stepped on the Heavenly Gaze, his figure swaying. The Heavenly Gaze Step was slowly unfolded by him like a flowing water.

  But Mao Xiaofang stopped after taking eight steps.

  Jiang Le blinked and couldn't help but ask: "Is it over?"

  Mao Xiaofang nodded.

  "Is that all? Just a few moves? This is the Heavenly Gate Step?" Jiang Le asked hesitantly.

  Mao Xiaofang continued nodding.

  "Master, stop teasing and continue with the moves. These eight actions are easy to learn, there's no challenge at all." Jiang Le urged.

  Mao Xiaofang said calmly, "The Tianxia Step, from simple to complex, beginners start with the Small Eight Steps of Tianxia, followed by the Sixteen Steps, Thirty-two Steps, and finally the Sixty-four Steps. Only then can you master the complete Tianxia Step. What I'm teaching you is the Small Eight Steps of Tianxia. From now on, it's up to you to evolve from eight steps to sixteen steps, and so on until you complete the Tianxia Step."

  Jiang Le's eyes widened in shock.

  This Taisen step method, it's just eight moves at first, and then I'm asked to turn it into sixty-four moves. Damn, this is too frustrating! Is this what they mean by the legendary master leading you in and having you cultivate your own truth?!

  "Alright, I've explained everything that needs explaining. Look at the ground." Mao Xiaofang didn't give Jiang Le any more opportunities to ask questions.

  Jiang Le couldn't help but look away, only to discover that there were eight red footprints on the ground, which was left behind by his master using his magical powers.

  "Follow in my footsteps and start practicing. Walk through it a hundred times first." Mao Xiaofang said indifferently.

  "Go ahead and go," Jiang Le hummed, "such a simple action, I can do it a thousand times without any problem."

  Jiang Le recalled Mao Xiaofang's previous movements and then stepped out, surprisingly completing the eight moves without a single mistake.

  After finishing, Jiang Le looked at Mao Xiaofang with a pleased expression.

  Mao Xiaofang just smiled and didn't say a word, instead took out a book and started reading it with great concentration.

  Jiang Le knew this book, it was the golden old man's legacy left for his own Golden Family Dao.

  "Alright, are you ready to watch a good show? Just 100 times, and I'll let my apprentice take over."

  Gritting his teeth, Jiang Le quietly began practicing.

  Once, twice, thrice...

  Ten times, thirty times, fifty times...

  Mao Xiaofang secretly glanced at Jiang Le, and was secretly pleased. It had been a long time since he was forced by his master to walk the Tian Gang small eight steps, breaking hundreds of pairs of cloth shoes in the process. He had walked so much that even hearing the name "Tian Gang step" made him want to vomit. And yet, he could only complete thirty-two steps of the Tian Gang step, far from achieving mastery.

  I finally have the opportunity to be a master now, and I just found out that educating disciples is so cool, if I had known earlier, I would have taken on apprentices long ago.

  Eighty times... one hundred times.

  When the last set was finished, Jiang Le's stubbornness dissipated, and his legs felt like they were filled with lead, making every movement feel laborious. He lay down on the ground weakly, sweating profusely, and panting heavily.

  "I'm exhausted, Master! I've done it a hundred times." Jiang Le murmured.

  "So fast? Not bad, not bad." Mao Xiaofang finally reacted, looking at Jiang Le with a playful gaze.

  "Master, this move is really simple and easy to do, but turning it into sixteen moves, I just can't do it, unless I mess it up."

  "This is not urgent, roads are walked out, you walk a hundred times a day, and you will slowly walk out the sixteen moves."

  Jiang Le was immediately stunned.

  Still have to, one hundred times every day!!!!!

  Kill me, I'm so tired of walking.

  "That's it, just a few steps of the Tianxia Step and you're already exhausted? In the future, when you encounter evil spirits, will they give you time to rest during life-and-death battles? Get up, I'll teach you how to draw talismans now." Ma Xiaofang suddenly became stern and scolded.

  Jiang Le was secretly worried, but after a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and got up.

  No matter what, walking on this road is one's own choice, and it must not be abandoned halfway.

  "Master, please advise."

  Staring firmly at Mao Xiaofang, Jiang Le made an effort to forget his physical fatigue.

  Mao Xiaofang smiled, feeling more and more satisfied in his heart. However, he didn't praise Jiang Le. In the past when he was learning from his own family, even if he did something well, he would still get kicked.

  Mao Xiaofang took out his brush and paper and began to explain the techniques of drawing talismans to Jiang Le, including various taboos and precautions.

  Talismans are a simple, convenient and powerful tool used by Taoist practitioners. Mysterious and all-encompassing, they can cure illnesses, save lives, ward off evil spirits and demons, with hundreds of types available.

  Mao Xiaofang's talisman for Jiang Le's enlightenment is the Gathering Water Talisman. This is a small talisman that can be used in daily life, and it can also be used to attack. The method of drawing the talisman involves pulling the heavenly and earthly water systems, and as long as the power contained within is triggered, it can gather the water vapor in one direction into a single entity. A weaker version can be used for drinking water in daily life, while a stronger version can transform into mighty waves that wash away the mundane world.