Chapter 9: Initial Achievement of Internal Energy

  Zhang Ping, who had made up his mind to work hard at martial arts, became even more diligent in the days that followed. In the past, he practiced martial arts simply out of habit and to pass the time, but now it was to protect his "home".

  Heaven does not disappoint those who work hard, Zhang Ping spent a year opening up the Ren channel and then spent less than two years opening up the Du channel. After successfully opening all 12 regular channels and 8 extraordinary channels, his skills greatly improved, and his internal strength was comparable to that of his master, Tian Xu.

  Zhang Ping, who had been practicing hard for more than half a year and felt that his progress was too slow, went to ask his master Tianxu if there was a better way.

  "Towards you, you have indeed not let your master down. At such a young age, you have already achieved what most people in the martial world cannot achieve in their lifetime. However, with internal energy at this level, normally it can only be improved through long-term hard work and dedication. Unless there is some extraordinary skill or secret manual that can open up special meridians and acupoints. Unfortunately, my Upper Clearness Scripture of the Upper Clearness Temple, although divine, does not have any remarkable achievements in terms of extraordinary skills and secret techniques. However, you don't need to be disheartened, you are still young, and who knows what opportunities will come your way in the future." Tian Xu explained to Zhang Ping's question.

  "Master, can I start roaming Jianghu now? Opportunities won't fall from the sky, I have to go out and try my luck."

  Tian Xu looked at Zhang Ping, this former little kid had grown into a handsome young man. Years of practicing martial arts (including Zhang Ping's self-practiced Song Jing Gun and Hun Yuan Gun) made him look almost as tall and big as a thirteen or fourteen year old child. Wearing a clean and tidy small Taoist robe on his body, he looked quite like a Taoist immortal boy.

  "Alright, a fine sword must be tempered, but first you need to learn some common sense about traveling the world and our sect's relationships in it. Also, starting tomorrow, go help your Master Yuanyu with some mundane tasks outside the temple. Only after you've learned these things and passed the test of being a disciple can you venture out into the world."

  "Alright, Master, don't worry, I will learn all of these as quickly as possible."

  There's a saying: ideals are plump, reality is bony.

  It was relatively easy to help Master Rong deal with mundane tasks, after all, there were people to guide him. Moreover, the Upper Clearness Hall was like a local tyrant in this area, and even the government didn't dare to provoke them easily, so everything went very smoothly. This also allowed Zhang Ping to accumulate some basic common sense for traveling around Jianghu, such as: how much food, clothing, lodging, buying horses, taking carriages cost; how to distinguish between real and fake silver ingots; how to recognize roads, official languages and commonly used dialects; as well as some common street thieves and scams.

  However, the common sense of traveling in Jianghu is not common sense. Looking at the big pile of Jianghu common sense in front of him, Zhang Ping wanted to cry but had no tears. So he asked his master: "Master, did you make a mistake? With so many books, are you trying to get me to pass the imperial examination?"

  "Don't be unaware of the blessings you have, these examples in the books are lessons learned from the blood of our ancestors. From ancient times to the present, I don't know how many masters were killed by people with much lower martial arts skills because of their carelessness. Remember this well, and don't leave until you've memorized it."

  "I don't believe it," Zhang Ping retorted, "with so many people in the audience, they all know this by heart."

  "Indeed, most people wouldn't. But you're different from them, you're too young and inexperienced in the ways of the world, with exceptional martial arts skills. You're exactly the kind of person that some deceitful and evil individuals would want to deceive and harm. So, you must remember this well for me."

  Helpless, Zhang Ping had no choice but to start memorizing books diligently.

  These books recorded the Jianghu travel records of more than 20 seniors from Shangqing Temple. However, Zhang Ping didn't find it enjoyable at all, for a simple reason: the Jianghu was full of dangers. In addition, these books also recorded over 100 cases of high-ranking masters being secretly harmed by those with inferior martial arts skills and their causes and effects; common methods of distinguishing and responding to the 80 kinds of Jianghu situations; characteristics and response methods of black inns for travelers; potential dangers and preventive measures when staying overnight at an inn; potential dangers and preventive measures when camping outdoors; correct ways to distinguish between true misfortune and fake suffering, along with ten real-life examples...

  Finally, under Zhang Ping's tireless efforts day and night, in just three short months, Zhang Ping had basically mastered the contents of the book. (At night, his soul could also recite books while his body was sleeping, hehe...)

  Just as Zhang Ping was overjoyed and ready to start his own heroic journey, Master Tianxu gave him another big gift.

  "By the way, as your teacher I almost forgot, there are also a few books here, you can take them all together."

  Listening to Master Tianxu's gentle and amiable voice, Zhang Ping was deeply moved...

  Back in the house, I saw: The Record of Grudges and Favors Among Jianghu Sects; The Annals of Jianghu Mountains and Rivers; The Register of Jianghu Heroes; The Chronicle of Major Events in Jianghu; The Relationship Between Officialdom and Jianghu; The Bandits and Jianghu...

  It was more than a month later when Zhang Ping finally settled these books.

  Then, three days later.

  "Towards Li, check the package again to see if things are complete, and bring some more if necessary."

  Upon hearing Master Tianxu and Master Chongxu's words, Zhang Ping suddenly had a black line appear on his forehead. "I'm a great hero, not a porter," Zhang Ping silently shouted in his heart.

  "Alright, alright, just let Xiang Li check again and that's it. You guys want to exhaust Xiang Li to death with so many things?" The lovely Yuan Xu Shu finally said a fair word. Zhang Ping was delighted and wanted to kiss him.

  However, under the eager gaze of his seniors, Zhang Ping once again checked his package. "A change of clothes and a set, a small umbrella, a water bottle, ten pieces of suet pastry, thirty small packets of insect medicine, one silver needle, a ball of thread, a bottle of golden wound medicine, a bottle of antidote powder, two fire starters..."

  In addition to a gold leaf sewn into the sleeve and a fifty-tael silver note, there were also several taels of loose silver and a string of copper coins in the sleeve pocket. Zhang Ping's small face had only one expression, spirited and proud.

  "Alright, Li Yu, today is your first time leaving me to go on a long journey (clearly it's the second time, don't pretend otherwise). I have decided to give you two gifts."

  "What gift, what gift is it? Where is it?" As soon as he heard there was a gift, Zhang Ping's eyes lit up and his beady little eyes scanned the surroundings. It was as if he was saying: Don't hide it, I've already discovered it.

  "Haha... look at this little guy, stop teasing him, just give it to him quickly. Otherwise, I'm afraid his eyeballs will pop out." Chong Xu's straightforward personality couldn't help but laugh at Zhang Ping's appearance.

  Suddenly, a sword appeared in the hand of his master, Tian Xu. The sword was three feet long, with a scabbard that was entirely jade-green in color, and a tassel of bright red silk hung from the hilt.

  Zhang Ping thanked his master and eagerly drew out the treasure sword. The sword was straight, with both blades revealing a sharp edge, emitting a faint aura of a sharp sword. What a fine hundred-refined treasure sword! On the hilt were engraved the two characters "Qing Ming".

  "With the treasure sword, next should be the treasure horse, right?" Zhang Ping thought happily.

  Just as Zhang Ping was still thinking about his BMW, Tian Xu spoke up and said "Zhang Ping, the road ahead is long and treacherous, using lightness skill to hurry along will be quite inconvenient. The master has specially prepared a vehicle for you, allowing you to travel Jianghu more easily."

  As soon as the words fell, Yuan Xū's disciple, Bǐng Lǐ Shīxiōng, led out a small donkey. At that moment, Zhang Píng's emotions were surging and he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, in ancient times there were no divine beasts, otherwise perhaps ten thousand clay horses would have galloped across Zhang Píng's mind.

  "Donkey, donkey, donkey... My precious steed, my galloping horse, my..." Seeing Zhang Ping's expression, Ben Li couldn't help but secretly smile.

  "Listen, I'm telling you as your elder. Although the horse is good, it's too precious and not as easy to take care of as a donkey. Moreover, you're just a young man, riding a horse on the road will attract a lot of trouble. So this time, bring this donkey instead." Tian Xu explained to Zhang Ping.

  "Also, remember that when you're out in the world, you must be careful everywhere. You can't completely trust anyone. If something happens, don't be afraid, just take care of it with one sword strike, and if the sky falls, your master will help you hold it up, got it?"

  Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping's eyes moistened for no reason, but he still held back. "Understood, Master. I'll go now. You must take care of yourself and not overwork."

  After speaking, Zhang Ping took over the small donkey from his brother and rode away towards the distance. As the Upper Clearness Temple gradually disappeared into the distance, scenes from the past few years in the temple replayed before Zhang Ping's eyes, and tears finally burst forth uncontrollably.

  After about an incense stick's time, Zhang Ping's mood finally calmed down. For no reason, a song suddenly appeared in Zhang Ping's mind, as if it was something he knew from his previous life.

  In the mountains, on a small road, a Daoist boy, a furry donkey, and a floating new and strange song: I have a little furry donkey but I never ride him. One day my heart is eager to ride him to the market. I hold a small whip in my hand and feel proud in my heart, but somehow I splashed mud all over me...

  The number of collections has finally reached two digits, I'm very happy, and I'll add another chapter to thank the ten friends who have collected it.