Chapter 10: The Cunning Master, the Pitiful Disciple
Upon hearing Song Feng's answer, Qing Mu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy in his heart. He repeatedly praised him as a good disciple and even thought about saying that he would hand over the leadership of Wudang to him immediately.
"Is there anything else you'd like to instruct me, Master?" Seeing Qingmu still basking in joy, Songfeng asked helplessly, hoping to leave as soon as possible the master who had been acting strangely today, fearing he would ask another strange question.
"Haha! Yes, yes, it's a very important matter! Sit down!" Seeing Song Feng still standing respectfully in front of him, Qingmu, who had just succeeded in his scheme, was in high spirits and pointed to the armchair beside him, smiling as he spoke.
"Yes!" Seeing his master behave so unusually, Song Feng became increasingly uneasy, half of his buttocks trembling as he sat in the armchair. Having seen many storms and waves, Song Feng actually felt a bit chilly. After all, his master had always been extremely strict and impartial in his eyes. Now, to be speaking so warmly with him, even politely asking him to take a seat, was truly like an iron tree blooming, a rare sight in a thousand years.
"Since the founding of Wudang Sect by Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng 700 years ago, under his leadership, Wudang Sect has gradually developed from a small and unknown sect to a sect that is on par with Shaolin, which has a history of thousands of years. It is said that Grandmaster Zhang had passed away, but this is not true."
"What? Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng is still alive!" As a master among the secular, Song Feng knew some things about the Cultivation Realm, but no matter what, he couldn't imagine that Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng, who was over 700 years old, was still alive.
"Yes, Zhang Sanfeng had already cultivated to the Yuan Ying stage hundreds of years ago and was almost immortal!" Qingmu waved his hand to stop Song Feng who was about to speak with a surprised expression. He continued with a reverent and yearning tone: "Just a few days ago, Zhang Sanfeng broke through the void and wandered into the realm of the immortals, it's truly something to aspire to! For all those who have entered the cultivation world, their greatest wish in life is to break through the void and live as long as heaven itself."
"Master, isn't that legendary Xian realm true?" As the one who accepted the most modern social knowledge, Song Feng could understand that cultivators could prolong their lifespan, but no matter what, he couldn't understand that there really was a shattered void and ascension to immortality.
Looking at Song Feng's surprised and bewildered face, Qingmu said with a look of yearning: "Yes, that is the most yearned-for thing for Master in this life! Mingde Ah, tomorrow Master will take you to the Xianjia Cave Mansion in the back mountain of Wudang Sect, which is also the place where the ancestors of Wudang Sect have been cultivating!"
"Ah, really!" Song Feng's face suddenly lit up with excitement. He had also heard that the forbidden land behind the mountain was a place where legendary figures of the Wudang Sect cultivated their skills. As a direct disciple of the Wudang Sect, Song Feng had never had the opportunity to access this mysterious place. Now, Qingmu said he would take him to the Xianjia Cave Mansion, a legendary place in the Wudang Sect, and how could he not be extremely excited? Even though he had experienced many ups and downs in life, as a martial artist, what truly attracted Song Feng was still martial arts. Those seniors who stayed inside the Xianjia Cave Mansion were all once renowned figures, and now they were already at the level of immortals. If he could get their guidance, even just a little bit, it would be enough to last him a lifetime! Poor Song Daxia had already deeply fallen into his wild fantasies about the secrets of martial arts flying towards him!
"Ah-choo!" Qīng Mù's gentle cough finally brought Sòng Fēng back to his senses, and with a embarrassed face he said "Thank you Master for your guidance!"
"Haha, it's also your good fortune! Our Zhang Sanfeng ancestor's closed-door disciple is going to enter the world to cultivate, and I want you to introduce him to some worldly situations and human emotions!" Qingmu said with a hint of jealousy in his voice. Joking aside, cultivating you isn't done this way, it's just that I've been isolated from the world for too long, otherwise this good opportunity wouldn't have fallen to you! Fortunately, Mingde is still quite filial, so I'm not at a loss! Qingmu thought to himself.
"What! The Grandmaster's disciple!" Song Feng's mouth was agape, and it took him a long time to close it. After a good while, he finally came back to his senses and understood what had happened. Even the normally composed Song Feng immediately grasped the strange words and actions of Qing Mu earlier. Indeed, when teaching the second-generation disciple of Wudang Sect, the founder's disciple, treasures didn't flow in like running water. Of course, Song Feng didn't dare slam his hand on the table or kick over a stool, saying "Damn it, how dare you defy me! Are you tired of living?!" After all, the person in front of him, who looked like an immortal with a refined and elegant demeanor, was actually his master who had raised him since childhood. Song Feng merely stole a glance at his master with a very subtle gaze: "Disciple obeys!"
How could Qingmu, who had already entered the realm of immortals and become a secular person, not notice that hint of sorrowful gaze flashing across Songfeng's face? How could he not understand the meaning behind it? However, our Qingmu sect leader pretended to have seen nothing, his expression unchanged, truly reaching the level of "remaining calm even if Mount Tai were to crumble". He simply said lightly: "Mingde, you go back and prepare well, tomorrow noon Qingteng Shifu will take you over! You may withdraw for now!"
"Yes!" Song Feng respectfully backed out.
Thus, Zhang Huban led a double life as both teacher and student. In the morning, he lectured to the old Taoist priests of Wudang on the secrets of the Heavenly Way, the methods of the Immortal Family, while in the afternoon, he listened to Song Feng's explanations of the customs and habits of modern society, human relationships, and worldly affairs. Everyone was extremely satisfied with their gains. The old Taoist priests from Wudang, since listening to Zhang Huban's lectures, had their spiritual state rise like a rocket, making them joyful every day, smiling from ear to ear, and sticking to Zhang Huban like syrup. Of course, their flattering skills also rose like their cultivation. And Zhang Huban, seeing the great progress of the Wudang disciples, experienced the joy of being a teacher for the first time. Song Feng's lectures also opened a magical window to the world for Zhang Huban, who had never seen the world before, making him listen to Song Feng's classes with relish every day, like a little student, and occasionally asking some very naive and ignorant questions.
Only poor Song Feng, who thought that after entering the Ru Mountain Xianjia Cave Mansion, he wouldn't expect those Shifu and Zushi to bestow some Xian Dan on him, this junior. At least they would slightly point out some Wugong secrets to him. But unexpectedly, those seniors in front of him now don't have time to care about him, only entwining around Zhang Hu Pan Zushi. What's even more detestable is that the young Daoist in front of him, who looks like he's still young, is actually over a hundred years old and keeps asking silly questions. Think about it, making a fifty-year-old great hero, respected by the world, come to teach a student with an emotional quotient only at the level of a kindergarten child. It's even more terrifying that this student can't be beaten or scolded, but must maintain a respectful attitude every moment. How can Song Feng not feel like he's living in a fiery pit? How can he not go crazy? If someone were to pay attention, they would discover that Song Feng has aged a lot these past few days, and even his hair has thinned out a lot. Of course, if it were paid tutoring, Song Feng might be able to balance it out in his heart. But after teaching for several days, this Zushi in front of him hasn't mentioned anything about rewarding him. Poor Song Feng still has to endure his Shifu's severe interrogation and body search every time he goes back. Truly, where is justice?
