Chapter 904: Hard Doesn’t Work, Try Soft

After the old immortal master left, Li Ping pulled Li Feng just inside the doorway and whispered,

"Is that martial artist really Martial Saint Zuo?"

Li Feng looked up at his father, nodded, and whispered, "Yes, he is..."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? When did you meet him? He's not a con man, is he?"

"Impossible! Grandmaster Zuo is not a con man. We've known each other for a long time. He used to stay at Mud-Dust Temple. I met him when I visited there. He even saved me once. There was a monster in the city, and Grandmaster Zuo just picked up a flat stick and killed it with a single blow!"

Li Ping nodded thoughtfully and patted Li Feng's shoulder.

"Alright, you can go now. Tonight, your father will have the kitchen prepare another feast. Go talk to Grandmaster Zuo first, and I will personally invite him when I return."

"Father, are you going out?"

Hearing Li Feng's words, Li Ping smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Yes, I originally had official business to attend to, but Immortal Master Tang's visit delayed me. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Li Ping hurried out of the official residence, but instead of going to the government office, he headed straight for the Imperial Palace. He wasn't going to see the Emperor, but rather to a place inside the palace called Tianjian Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda where the Imperial Preceptor, Master Moyun, usually meditated.

Judging by Immortal Master Tang's reaction, it was highly likely that the Zuo Wuji Li Feng spoke of was not an impostor. Therefore, after careful consideration, Li Ping decided the safest course of action was to confirm this with Master Moyun.

As Li Ping approached the pagoda, his mind seemed to calm. Faint Buddhist chants emanated from within the structure. A young monk stood outside the pagoda and stepped forward when he saw Li Ping approaching.

"Minister Li, my master sensed a visitor and specifically instructed me to wait here. Please come in, Minister Li!"

"Oh, thank you, Master Puhui."

"You're too kind, Minister Li. Please!"

The young monk opened the pagoda door for Li Ping and gestured politely for him to enter.

Li Ping followed the monk into the pagoda, ascending floor by floor. They didn't go all the way to the top but stopped on the third floor, where Saint Monk Moyun usually resided.

"Knock, knock, knock..." "Master, Minister Li has arrived!"

After the young monk knocked and announced, Master Moyun's voice came from inside.

"Come in!"

As soon as he spoke, the door opened by itself. Master Moyun sat on a meditation cushion facing the door, his eyes open and looking towards the entrance.

"Imperial Preceptor, please forgive my unannounced visit!"

Even though many immortals had descended upon the Xia Yong Dynasty to stabilize its destiny, Saint Monk Moyun, who had assisted the Xia Yong imperial family for many years, remained the Imperial Preceptor. The current emperor had never considered replacing him, and high-ranking officials in the court, including Li Ping, held the Imperial Preceptor in great reverence.

"Blessings, Great King of Brightness Buddha. Minister Li, you arrived in a hurry. Have you encountered something urgent?"

Master Moyun didn't need any divine sight; just seeing the sweat on Li Ping's forehead and his slight panting told him that Li Ping had rushed all the way here.

"Nothing escapes your notice, Imperial Preceptor."

Li Ping instinctively glanced back, then took a few steps closer to the Imperial Preceptor.

"Imperial Preceptor, you must still remember about Immortal Master Tang's previous intention to take my son as his disciple, right?"

Master Moyun furrowed his brows slightly.

"Minister Li, this old monk should have cautioned you not to speak too much about your son's matter in court."

Li Ping looked ashamed.

"Yes, yes, yes, the Imperial Preceptor did caution me, but I spoke out of turn after drinking at the banquet where His Majesty received the descending immortal masters. Alas..."

The old monk Moyun calmly looked at Li Ping. Whether it was truly a slip of the tongue due to alcohol was unclear, but the die was cast, and he chose not to expose it.

"Immortal Master Tang's cultivation is indeed impressive. You, Minister Li, should be very happy. Why do you seem troubled?"

Li Ping had actually concealed his expression well, but the old monk Moyun saw his worries at a glance. As expected, once his feelings were exposed, Li Ping skipped the polite circumlocutions he had prepared.

"Imperial Preceptor, to be frank, I am indeed in a dilemma right now. When my son came to the capital, Immortal Master Tang was very fond of him, which should have been a great blessing for my Li family. Yet, my son has consistently refused to take Immortal Master Tang as his master..."

Master Moyun looked at Li Ping. If Li Ping had come to ask him to persuade Li Feng, he would not have moved an inch. However, Li Ping's next words quickly made him realize he had misunderstood.

"I originally thought my son was just timid. I never expected him to be so obsessed with martial arts. Originally, I thought martial arts were merely mundane skills, and it would naturally be best for him to learn immortal techniques. But to my surprise... the one teaching my son martial arts is none other than the venerable Martial Saint, Zuo Wuji, the most renowned hero in the world!"

Master Moyun's previously lowered eyelids suddenly opened wide.

"What? Zuo Wuji? Minister Li, you..."

The old monk Moyun stopped mid-sentence. He clutched his prayer beads, ceaselessly turning them, and murmured Buddhist scriptures.

A moment later, he looked up again, his face filled with shock as he gazed at Li Ping.

During his recent spiritual divination through chanting, Master Moyun seemed to see a surge of overwhelming vital energy rising from a blurred distant place. The light of martial arts unfolded his scriptural visions, jolting him out of his meditative state.

"This martial destiny, if not from the Martial Saint himself, must surely come from a martial arts grandmaster of comparable skill!"

"Imperial Preceptor, is this path of martial arts truly just a mundane skill? Nowadays, everyone is building civil and martial temples, and they all speak of stabilizing the destiny of civil and martial arts. But I still have many doubts about this. Can civil governance and martial prowess truly be elevated through this?"

Master Moyun shook his head slightly. Even an able official like Li Ping in the court still had only a partial understanding of this matter, let alone others.

"Minister Li, what is known as 'civil and martial destiny' is a grand destiny that appeals to Heaven and Earth to stabilize the universe. It is the cornerstone of humanity's true rise, achievable only through boundless wisdom and endless opportunities. Yet, the Great Zhen of Yunzhou was able to initiate such an earth-shattering endeavor, truly worthy of being the homeland of the Two Sages of Civil and Martial Arts..."

Master Moyun paused slightly, then continued,

"You must have heard of the Two Sages of Civil and Martial Arts many times, Minister Li. One is Yin Zhaoxian, the current Chief Minister of Great Zhen. You are also a scholar, Minister Li; what do you think of Duke Yin?"

Li Ping pondered for a moment before replying,

"Duke Yin's writings are secretly published in our Xia Yong Dynasty, and I have been fortunate enough to read some. By observing his writings, one can discern his character: he undoubtedly possesses extraordinary talent to govern the world and civilize the populace. What's even rarer is that his prose is filled with righteous spirit, yet it also maintains a balance of tension and relaxation. It is truly remarkable..."

"Indeed, this old monk can also tell you, Minister Li, that if ambitious and upright scholars read more of Duke Yin's works, it will nourish the righteous spirit within them and cultivate their spiritual nature through study. After the Great Zhen's imperial sacrifices and the establishment of civil temples across the land, this power will advance further. Even good writings throughout the world will gradually help scholars nurture their spiritual essence. This is no longer an illusory concept."

"What about the Martial Saint?"

The old monk Moyun looked calmly at Li Ping, not directly mentioning the Martial Saint Zuo Wuji.

"The martial path differs slightly from the civil path. Achieving the Dao through martial arts means tempering oneself, advancing valiantly and diligently, like fire and dragons. The martial path is the path of strength, the path for the strong to bravely lead the way and break through shackles with their fists. The cultivation world often said that martial arts were mundane skills; perhaps this statement was not entirely false. However, the martial Dao is certainly not so. Those who practice martial arts without understanding their true meaning merely train in techniques, but those who comprehend their meaning and strive forward with determination will gain a martial spirit and comprehend the martial Dao..."

"What happens when one comprehends the martial Dao?"

Li Ping quickly asked, and the old monk Moyun merely smiled.

"This old monk has already said that the martial Dao is the path of strength. A master like the Martial Saint, if demons block his path, he slays them; if devils harm people, he executes them; if immortals show contempt, he can kill immortals... The Martial Saint Zuo Wuji gained worldwide fame in the Battle of the Myriad Demons Feast in Black Barrens. It was because when he was traveling in Tianyu Continent and encountered a demonic uprising, he willingly allowed himself to be captured by the demons and taken to their 'Human-Livestock Grotto-Heaven'. Only upon reaching the heart of the demonic camp did he unleash his true power, revealing his fangs. He then cut down demons and devils all the way through the demonic grotto-heaven. Countless demons and devils died by his hand. He used his martial arts as a brush, writing the principles of a sage in blood. All martial artists and ordinary people who witnessed it knelt before him, calling him 'Saint among Warriors.' The Civil Saint was praised into existence by the world, but the Martial Saint fought his way into being with every punch and kick!"

Li Ping trembled as he listened. Thinking of Zuo Wuji, who fought with a mortal body amidst grotto-heavens teeming with demons, gave him goosebumps. He asked, his voice slightly trembling,

"Then, how does the Martial Saint compare to Immortal Master Tang?"

The old monk Moyun sighed. Minister Li had, after all, become so snobbish. No wonder he only admired the Civil Saint's literary talent when reading his books.

"Ah, Minister Li, you jest. In terms of miraculous transformations, literary elegance, and refined artistry, Immortal Master Tang would likely surpass Martial Saint Zuo. However, in terms of cultivation and power, ten Tang Pus would probably not be a match for the Martial Saint. More importantly, if the Martial Saint could stay in our dynasty, as long as he considers himself partly a citizen of Xia Yong, he would undoubtedly bring astonishing martial destiny to our court!"

Li Ping nodded and formally bowed to the Imperial Preceptor once more.

"Thank you for your guidance, Imperial Preceptor. Li Ping takes his leave!"

Master Moyun did not try to keep him. He rose from his meditation cushion and returned the bow.

"Minister Li, take care. Puhui, see Minister Li out."

"Yes, Master!"

Li Ping politely exited the monk's room. After Monk Puhui closed the door, they left together. Once outside the pagoda, Li Ping bowed to Monk Puhui, then hurried home without delay.

At the same moment, Ji Yuan was grinding ink in his room. The 'Sword Intent Calligraphy' lay on the table. These past few days, he had been brushing ink for the little characters every day. After their previous battle, these character spirits had suffered significant loss of vital energy, yet they were all so well-behaved, which made Ji Yuan's heart ache. He no longer found them noisy, even when they clamored.

Knock, knock, knock...

Although the door was open, Zuo Wuji still knocked lightly and did not enter directly. Ji Yuan didn't look up, merely inviting Zuo Wuji inside.

"Come in, Grandmaster Zuo."

Zuo Wuji walked into the room and saw the hundreds of little characters on the 'Sword Intent Calligraphy' glowing in pulsating waves. Each character seemed to have its own rhythm of breath, as if all were cultivating.

"Mr. Ji, I hear that person named Tang came again today."

"Hmm, what's wrong? Are you getting anxious?"

Zuo Wuji said helplessly,

"Although Li Feng is a bit rebellious, you've taught him proper etiquette, and he's also very afraid of his father. He might just give in after a while. Besides, as you said, he can't even learn spirit control techniques right now."

"Yes, exactly. So, Grandmaster Zuo, when Li Ping comes to ask you, you must agree to take Li Feng as your disciple."

"But the person Li Feng wants to take as a master is you."

Ji Yuan looked up at Zuo Wuji, then continued grinding ink.

"Leaving aside whether Li Feng meets my conditions for taking a disciple, I am currently embroiled in a vortex of events and cannot keep Li Feng by my side. Moreover, if he cannot learn immortal techniques and must practice martial arts, where else in the world would be better than under you, the great Martial Saint?"

Zuo Wuji gave a wry smile.

"Mr. Ji, please stop teasing me. My title of Martial Saint is just that—a title. The stories spreading about me are becoming more exaggerated through rumor. The other day, when you fought that Zhuyan, I could only run around on the ground..."

Ji Yuan's hand stopped grinding ink at that moment. When he looked up, a figure was leaning against the doorframe—it was Zhuyan, with his short white beard and hair.

"The fact that you, Zuo Wuji, could run away at all is already quite something. But you can still go further, become stronger—so strong that even True Immortals, Enlightened Kings, Heavenly Fiends, and True Devils would tremble in fear!"

Zuo Wuji slowly turned, watching Zhuyan warily, and sneered,

"We are discussing how to teach Li Feng martial arts, yet you seem eager to instruct me in the martial Dao?"

Zhuyan bypassed Zuo Wuji and looked at Ji Yuan, who held a brush. Though it was just a brush in Ji Yuan's hand, it felt like a sword, exuding a palpable, heart-pounding sword intent. He knew that to get past Zuo Wuji, the key was not the Martial Saint himself, but Ji Yuan.

"Mr. Ji, we became acquainted through conflict. As I said before, there are great secrets in this world, and there's no need for us to fight to the death!"

Zhuyan felt that a direct, forceful approach might not work hastily, so he decided to try a softer one.