Wudang Xuan Shi (Upper)

  On the third day after killing the wild boar king, early in the morning, Zhang Xun announced that he would leave the pass and ordered his attendants to go down the mountain and invite Zhan Yu to come to Jinting.

  Wudang main peak, Tianzhu Peak top, Zhongyue Temple.

  Two cushions, one pair of master and apprentice.

  Inside the Taoist temple, only Zhang Xun and Qin Yu sat facing each other.

  In later times, especially after the Chengzu Emperor of the Ming dynasty, Mount Wudang was granted the title "Taizong", with a status above the Five Peaks, and is an extremely famous Taoist holy land with many buildings. However, in the late Han dynasty, it was still a barren mountain, not well-known, at most barely considered a blessed place of good fortune.

  Zhang Xun arrived here three years ago, built a thatched hut at the top of Tianzhu Peak, and was a Taoist hermit who devoted himself to self-cultivation. His origin is unknown, but other local Taoist masters all respected him very much, calling him "Xuan Shi".

  Laozi said: Mysterious and again mysterious, the door of all wonders. This "mysterious" word is extremely noble in Taoism and cannot be used lightly. Zhang Xuan is widely recognized as a "Mystical Master", his learning and spiritual powers are beyond question.

  Last September, after Tan Yu's physical condition improved, he went out hunting and met Bao Chu by chance. The two of them hit it off immediately and became close friends. Bao Chu took Tan Yu back to Wudang Mountain to meet his mother-in-law. Coincidentally, Zhang Xuan was coming down the mountain at that time and saw Tan Yu, treating him like a precious treasure, personally diagnosing and treating him with qigong therapy to clear his meridians. Later on, he also taught him the internal true skills of Taoism, laying the foundation for him.

  Tan Yun has made three secret trips to Wudang Mountain in the past year, each time staying for over a month, learning Taoist skills with great enthusiasm. Zhang Xuan was impressed by his extraordinary understanding and extremely hard work, and was very satisfied with his progress every time he checked on it.

  Zhang Xun looked like he was in his fifties, with white hair and a youthful face, an ethereal and elegant demeanor, and a very ruddy complexion.

  "Well done, young fellow! Have you had enough fun hunting boars and leopards these past few days?"

  "Hmm..." Qin Yu's heart, which originally had a lot of grievances and sadness, was completely extinguished by his master's one sentence. He thought for half a day, and suddenly felt that there was nothing worth complaining about after all.

  I've already made up my mind, I'll just tell Master directly later.

  "Yes, Master. The disciple has gained some insight."

  "Oh, what is it?" Zhang Xun asked with interest.

  "A true hero must face the bleakness of life."

  Zhang Xun nodded slightly, with a faint smile. On the day when Qin Yu arrived, he already knew about it. The reason why he didn't immediately invite him up the mountain was also to let him stay for a few more days and calm down his mood. It seems that Bao Chu did a good job, this kid has completely calmed down.

  He saw that Qin Yu's left hand seemed to have a scar, and casually lifted up his left sleeve.

  From the back of my hand, forearm to upper arm, there are countless scars and bruises. Fortunately, most of them did not break the skin, only one larger wound on the upper arm and elbow joint each, but they have already scabbed over.

  "Hardly able to withstand the enemy's fierce attack?" Zhang Xun furrowed his brow, how did he get hurt like this? So many small cuts.

  "My master taught me the Taoist arts, and I practice diligently every day, not daring to slack off." Qian Yu didn't dare say that Zhi Lan's fingernails were too sharp, so she made something up, "I occasionally tried it out a bit, and the Stone Skin Jade Muscle technique is truly wonderful."

  Zhang Xun pinched it and said lightly: "Hardness with a hint of flexibility, quite impressive!"

  Tan Yu's mouth was numb, and Master's pinch was quite painful. His Stone Skin Jade Muscle technique had some achievements, but it was thanks to the wild boar king a few days ago. When they faced each other under the tree, in a life-or-death situation, Tan Yu used all his strength to defend himself, and suddenly understood many of the principles of the Stone Skin Jade Muscle technique, thus achieving small success.

  "This technique has five levels. You can reach the second level within a year, which is quite good. It seems that achieving the superior 'Shi Gan Dang' divine skill in ten years is not impossible after all!"

  "Master, what is the realm of Shi Gan Tang? Do I need to practice for ten years?"

  "En, the Stone Skin Jade Muscle technique is the foundation of our Taoist school's protective body true method. Once you've reached the fifth layer, you can start cultivating the more profound 'Stone Dare to Block'. The mental method of Stone Dare to Block has nine layers; once you've reached the sixth layer or above, ordinary knives, guns, swords, and spears are basically nothing to be afraid of."

  Tan Yong Zhang's mouth opened wide, and his self-satisfied thoughts suddenly disappeared.

  Zhang Xun glanced at him, a smile appeared on his face, and he pressed two fingers into his wrist pulse, listening for a while.

  "Not bad, your meridian is strong and your Qi and blood are extremely healthy. Your internal injury has really healed greatly. To be broken and then stand up again, how many people can do that? You've actually done it, great job! It seems that your Half-Step Tuna Heart Method is not an ordinary technique, and it has a mutually beneficial effect with our sect's heart method. Practice well!"

  "Yes, Master." Quan Yu replied respectfully.

  "What's with these two wounds? They don't seem to be inflicted by the dagger itself." Zhang Xun pointed at the two injuries on his upper arm and elbow joint.

  "Yes, Master's wise eyes." Quan Yun hastily wiped away cold sweat, not daring to conceal anything, and again described the sword technique of Xi Zhi Lan.

  "You're really born lucky! Not even a scratch on your bones! This girl can wield two sword auras, her martial arts cultivation is at least one level higher than yours, but she doesn't have your cunning and varied moves." Zhang Xu was amazed by Qin Yu's good luck, daring to use just a few iron armguards to harden the opponent's sword aura, and his arm hadn't even broken. "However, you don't need to envy others' sword auras, that's a child's skill, with extremely high innate talent, and an extraordinary master."

  Qin Yu blinked and said, "The disciple's talent is also extraordinary, the disciple's master is the best in the world, that... I am still a child."

  "Hahaha!" Zhang Xuan burst out laughing, finding Qin Yu's misinterpretation of "Tong Zi Gong" quite amusing. What made him even happier was that Qin Yu had completely regained his normal youthful mindset. "Alright, since your foundation is solid and you're this... Tong Zi, I'll pass on the Jade Sword Heart Classic to you. Whether or not you can master the sword's power in the future depends on whether you work as hard as others."

  "Will the apprentice really be able to master the sword if he practices diligently?" Quan Yu asked.

  "That's natural. I have three unique skills: Tiandao Jue, Yuxing Jing, and Shidangdang. All the high-ranking people in the world are eager to learn them. Although it's not easy to enter the door of Yuxing Heart Sutra, its potential is profound, its realm is far-reaching, and it can't be compared with ordinary martial arts methods. Moreover, the biggest advantage of Yuxing Heart Sutra is that one principle penetrates all principles, after achieving success in cultivation, drawing a sword will have a sharp edge, using a spear will have a sharp point, using a knife will naturally produce a virtual blade, and eighteen kinds of weapons will be at your beck and call, without any distinction."

  Tan Yun was overjoyed and repeatedly said: "Ask Master to teach."

  Zhang Huan waved his hand: "At this time you are uneasy in your heart, wait a moment and I will transmit it to you."

  Qin Yu was taken aback: "Yes."

  Zhang Xun stared steadily at Qin Yu, his eyes shining brightly.

  "Disciple, I've learned about the matters of your household. The hatred for annihilating one's family must be repaid with the blood of the entire enemy family! Tell me, how can I help you?"

  Tan Yun had expected this and replied without hesitation: "Ask Master to let Big Brother come out of the mountain and help his disciple."

  Zhang Xun stroked his chin: "Wen Cai has a mother who is advanced in years... However, supporting her is not a difficult matter."

  Tan Yu was overjoyed. He also knew that his senior brother had an extraordinary skill, but he had been hiding and not coming out, all for the sake of his elderly mother. His master was indeed omnipotent, solving everything with just a few words.

  "Zhang Shidi, the disciple also wants to borrow."

  "Okay."

  "That's all." Qin Yu closed his mouth. One should be content with what they have, and having brothers to help him was already very generous of Master.

  "Do you want your senior and junior brothers to help you, thinking of joining forces with three people to kill the enemy?"

  "No. In this chaotic world, with bandits and soldiers roaming around, the Qiu family's power is likely even stronger, with a deeper background. Three people can't accomplish much. Disciple, for now, it's better to observe quietly. That... disciple plans to follow the example of Liu, Guan, and Zhang, gathering heroes, forming a private party, and creating a powerful army in this chaotic world. Once their strength grows, they can seek revenge against the Qiu family, which will be easy as turning one's hand over." The blood feud with his uncle's family had been on Qin Yu's mind for a long time, and he had already thought out a general plan.

  "What's wrong with your head?! Liu Xuan De is now being chased like a dog, hiding everywhere, and you're learning from him?!" Zhang Yun exclaimed.

  "Uh..." Qin Yu was sweating profusely, Master's words were too harsh, although the fact was indeed so.

  However, what you said is not wrong. Like today's rain and chaotic soldiers, there are roughly five types: contending for fame is called righteousness, contending for profit is called strength; accumulating hatred is called unyielding; internal chaos is called violence; due to hunger is called chaos.

  Zhang Xu looked at his beloved disciple, slowly saying word by word, "If you were to lead this army, what would you want to do?"

  Qin Yu smiled: "Reporting to Master, as a disciple due to family's great vengeance and thus rose the idea of building an army, it can be called a righteous army."

  "Newly arrived soldier?" Zhang Xun's eyes slightly narrowed, savoring these two words, silently unresponsive.