Chapter 8 Rewarding Good and Punishing Evil

  More than three months later, in the backyard of the Upper Clearness Temple. Amidst a flurry of sword lights, only one small Taoist priest was seen holding a treasured sword, turning and leaping about in the yard, wielding his sword as if it were flying. His one-handed swordplay revealed an aura of solemn killing amidst the flowing clouds and water.

  This little Taoist is not Zhang Ping, who else can it be. However, why did Zhang Ping's swordsmanship progress so rapidly when his talent for swordsmanship was average? It turned out that he told his master Tian Xu that practicing swords at night felt better. So, after inquiring about Ming Shengzi without result and having no hope for Zhang Ping's swordsmanship talent, Tian Xu agreed to Zhang Ping's proposal and let him practice swords at night.

  On the surface, Zhang Ping practiced sword fighting alone in the backyard every night. In reality, he said his soul left his body and controlled his soul to fight with his physical body. Although it couldn't cause substantial harm, this magical practice method made Zhang Ping progress rapidly. Even his ability to use his mind in two ways also improved greatly because of this.

  From the initial discomfort to the final harmony between soul and body, like two people. Every flaw in swordsmanship can be detected by the soul, then quickly corrected by the body. To prevent his own intentions from being known, each move is swift and decisive. Less variation, more killing intent.

  After discovering Zhang Ping's rapid progress in nighttime sword practice, Tian Xū decided to promote this "excellent" method of practicing swords throughout the Quán Guān. As a result, people are indeed different, and the majestic nighttime sword practice ultimately became Zhang Ping's exclusive method.

  Zhang Ping had just finished practicing his sword when he suddenly received a notification that everyone was to rush to the conference hall. He put away his sword and sprinted towards the conference hall using his lightness skill.

  Arriving at the meeting hall, Zhang Ping found that almost everyone was already there. The master of Ming Shengzi, who had not been seen for a whole year, sat in the first position. Everyone looked serious, apparently something big was going to happen, and it would be better for him to keep a low profile.

  Then Zhang Ping quietly walked to the seat of his master, Tian Xu, and stood still. Tian Xu was very pleased with Zhang Ping's low-key manner and nodded slightly at him.

  Before long, most of the disciples in the hall had arrived. Then, Master Ming Cheng's ancestor finally spoke up.

  "I have gathered everyone here today because something big has happened that concerns the survival of our sect and the rise and fall of the martial arts world."

  It has to be said that the discipline of ancient sects is really good. If it were now, in this scene, they would have already started discussing heatedly in hushed tones. However, the audience at the Upper Clearness Hall didn't move a muscle, which made Zhang Ping also unable to make a move, making him very unhappy.

  Just two days ago, Wujimen in Jiangxi welcomed two guests. They were the two envoys of rewarding good and punishing evil who appeared on the rivers and lakes twenty years ago.

  Upon hearing this, many of the Upper Clear Observers' disciples in the audience had already made guesses, but when the truth was confirmed, they couldn't help but change their expressions.

  Zhang Ping thought, "The two envoys who reward good and punish evil? It seems to ring a bell, but I just can't remember. However, judging from everyone's expression, they seem to be extremely formidable."

  "The tragic events of ten years ago are still vivid in my mind. Therefore, I have decided to accept the bronze medal and head to Xiake Island on December 8th."

  "Please think thrice", "We're going all out against them, Master"…

  Everyone heard that the leader was going to Xiake Island to die, and finally couldn't keep their original silence. The crowd was stirred up, and they all expressed their willingness to stand with Shang Shan and Fa E for good and evil until the end.

  Although I have always remembered my past life and wanted to return to my true home, at this moment, looking at the scene of Shangqing Temple where everyone's inner wishes are willing to live or die together with the sect. Zhang Ping suddenly felt that this is my sect, my home.

  "The silence" was filled with an inner power that echoed repeatedly in the great hall, suppressing the voices of the crowd.

  "My mind is made up on this matter, and when the time comes, everyone should remain calm. Besides, those who went to Xiake Island just haven't returned yet, and not a single person has been confirmed dead. So, going there means there's still a glimmer of hope, while not going would be certain death."

  "After I went to Xiake Island, the position of leader was taken over by Tian Xu. I hope you can unite sincerely and make my Upper Clearness Sect prosperous."

  "Disciples, take note." The Upper Clarity disciples responded in unison.

  After announcing some miscellaneous matters, the crowd dispersed.

  At night, Zhang Ping came to the outside of Tian Xu's wing room.

  "Bang bang bang......"

  "Come in, Li."

  Zhang Ping pushed open the door and entered, coming before Tian Xu with a smile on his face, asking: "Master, how did you know it was me?"

  "You little scamp, I'm well aware of what's going on in that mind of yours."

  "Guess what I've come for, Master?"

  "Come over and sit down, Li. Although you're still young, you have a natural talent and are willing to work hard at martial arts training. In the future, Upper Clear Palace will rely on you for support. Therefore, there are some things that you should know."

  "Twenty years ago, the Central Plains martial arts world suddenly appeared two teenagers. They distributed rewards and punishments to various schools and factions, requiring the masters who received the order to go to Nanhai Xiake Island on December 8th to drink Laba porridge. At that time, these two teenagers were not famous, while the masters of various schools were all well-known figures in the martial arts world, how could they possibly receive the card and attend the appointment?"

  "Master, you said they were just two young men and didn't have any helpers, why would everyone be afraid of them?" Zhang Ping asked in puzzlement.

  "Those two young men were extremely skilled in martial arts, although they were still young. At that time, there were fourteen people who refused to accept the copper plate at first, including Master Xuan of Liangzhou's Qingtong Sect and Old Ding of Ba County's Baozhuang Bureau. The entire sect was slaughtered, with no one spared. Afterwards, the leaders of other sects had no choice but to accept the copper plate and attend the banquet on December 8th at Xiake Island. Thirty-seven people went to Xiake Island that year, but until now, none of them have returned, their lives or deaths unknown."

  "Ten years ago, more than thirty top masters and hundreds of experts in the Central Plains martial arts world set an ambush to eliminate this scourge. Unexpectedly, those two young men ten years later had martial arts that were even more unfathomable. All the people who laid the ambush were caught off guard and wiped out. That year, forty-eight sect leaders went out and never returned. And now, it's the next decade."

  "So, Master, if there's still no other way, doesn't that mean you'll have to go to Xiake Island and die in ten years?"

  "It's up to you then. If you can practice martial arts well, ten years later defeat the two envoys of reward and punishment, I won't have to go to Xiake Island."

  "But remember, before you're sure of your ability to counter the two envoys' reward and punishment, don't expose your talent. In case someone gets jealous and wants to get rid of you ahead of time. Alright, go back and think carefully about it."

  "Yes, Master, I will take my leave." With his doubts in his mind cleared up, Zhang Ping left with satisfaction.

  After returning to the wing room, Zhang Ping suddenly felt that the two envoys of reward and punishment were very familiar, but he couldn't think of them no matter what.

  Then Zhang Ping stopped thinking about the two messengers of reward and punishment, and began tonight's practice. His body was cultivating the Upper Clear Scripture in the wing room, while his soul practiced swordsmanship and footwork after leaving his body.

  Three days later, Zhang Ping, who was studying the Taoist ghostly method in the wing room, suddenly heard a voice that seemed to come from beside his ear. "The two envoys of Xiake Island's reward and punishment invite you to go to Qingyuan Temple on December 8th to drink a bowl of Laba congee."

  "The two envoys have come from afar, and I, Ming Chengzi, was unable to go far to welcome you, please forgive me. Please put your minds at ease, on the eighth day of the twelfth month, I, Ming Chengzi, will definitely attend the banquet on time."

  The sound of Ming Chengzi's voice came in waves, and by the time Zhang Ping arrived at the main hall, the two envoys of rewarding good and punishing evil had vanished without a trace.

  "What a pity it's not at night, otherwise I could have gone out of my body to track them down and maybe found a way to subdue them." Right, I can go out of my body.

  It was night, Zhang Ping sat in the room, arranging his body to start meditation. His soul left the house with ease and he estimated that the two envoys of reward and punishment would surely head north, so he flew northwards with all his might.

  But Zhang Ping discovered a big problem about two quarters of an hour after he flew away. He didn't recognize the road, so how could he find it? His physical body had never come out before, and his soul body came out directly flying, with not many memories of his past life. This was frustrating. Helplessly, he continued to fly north.

  About another quarter of an hour passed. Suddenly, Zhang Ping felt that his distant body was like a black hole, instantly sucking himself back at a faster speed.

  Zhang Ping, who was suddenly sucked back, felt extremely exhausted and fell asleep directly on the bed.

  The next day, Zhang Ping flew south with all his might to verify his conjecture about yesterday's event. As a result, roughly two hours later, the same situation occurred again.

  It seems that one's soul cannot be too far away from their body. My plan to sneak onto the island at night has also been ruined.

  Zhang Ping, who thought he had discovered another great use for his soul body, suffered a ruthless blow. He then began to put more energy into practicing martial arts, hoping to defeat the two envoys of reward and punishment in ten years.