Chapter 22: Mountain Hermit

Before Xu Fengnian could even ask, Xu Xiao spilled everything at once. He explained, "Back then, the Academy was magnificent, boasting three thousand sages from the Hundred Schools of Thought. However, only nine schools truly held power: Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism, Military, Yin-Yang, and so on. Our dynasty valued Legalism, while the other eight nations each had their own reliance.

One could say that the true battleground was the Shangyin Academy itself. For example, the Western Shu kingdom, which believed in Huang-Lao's philosophy of non-contention, occupied a naturally fortified region and had no great ambitions. At the time, the Academy had agreed that Western Shu could remain in its corner, but I personally led an army and crushed them.

For a time, public resentment surged across the land, solidifying my nickname as 'the Butcher.' Along with the powerful eunuch Han Diaosi from the palace and the reclusive martial artist Huang Longshi, I was labeled one of the 'Three Devils' whom everyone sought to eliminate. My relationship with the Academy has always been terrible. Only that Mr. Jixia, whose chess skills were appalling, spoke up for me, saying many things that went against popular sentiment.

At that time, Mr. Wang had just won the 'Debate on Names and Realities,' and his reputation was soaring. Had nothing unforeseen happened, if he had also won the 'Heaven and Man Debate,' he would have become the next Grand Libationer, planting a 'Tree of Merit' in the Forest of Morality. What a pity. That's why I sent your second sister to Shangyin Academy."

Within the dynasty, there were several long-renowned sacred forbidden places. Besides the imperial palace, these included Mount Longhu, which usurped the orthodox position of Wudang Daoism; the Tide-Listening Armory of the Northern Liang King's residence; the Relic Pagoda of Liangchan Temple; the Wu Family Sword Mound; and finally, the Forest of Morality at Shangyin Academy, which scholars across the realm yearned for. The Forest of Morality symbolized 'ten years to grow a tree, a thousand years to cultivate virtue.'

Regarding the 'Three Devils' designation, the eunuch surnamed Han was reviled as 'the Human Cat,' and his reputation within the dynasty was just as bad, if not worse, than Xu Xiao's.

However, it was Huang Longshi, always clad in white, who was the most controversial. He rarely spilled blood with his own hands, even less than some martial artists. Yet, his words were incredibly potent. During the chaotic wars among the nine nations, he instigated most of them. He was once the most favored disciple of Shangyin Academy and boasted of being 'Huang Sanjia.'

This was not mere self-aggrandizement; Huang Longshi was widely recognized as peerless in the 'Nineteen Paths,' calligraphy (cursive script), and Yin-Yang divination, enjoying widespread fame. Ultimately, it was widely rumored among scholars that Shangyin Academy almost erected a stone tablet forbidding Huang Longshi from ever setting foot there again.

As for Xu Fengnian's second sister, Xu Weixiong, many Jixia scholars in the Academy secretly referred to her as 'the second Huang Longshi,' a testament to her brilliance.

Xu Xiao quietly said, "Mr. Wang came today to ask for something, but I didn't agree."

Xu Fengnian said helplessly, "You really don't give Shangyin Academy any face."

The hunchbacked, lame Grand Pillar General, with his hands tucked into his sleeves like an old farmer, spoke with extreme arrogance: "Those scholars have been cursing me from thousands of miles away; they've produced gallons of spit doing so by now, but I'm completely unaffected.

Your second sister, on the other hand, slaps them in the face every day, loud and clear. In debates, they can't outargue her; in chess, it's the same story. As for fighting, your second sister's sword could hack down a hundred or so defenseless scholars in one go without even wrinkling.

Those Shangyin Academy fellows are only good at talking; when it comes to fighting, they're quite worthless."

Xu Fengnian said, rubbing his temples, "When you hit someone, don't hit their face; when you're a person, leave some room for others. But you..."

Xu Xiao chuckled, "Your father didn't read much, so where would he get so many grand principles to understand?"

Xu Fengnian said disdainfully, "That's being pretentious."

Xu Xiao turned his head to glance at the embroidered winter saber in his son's hand and chuckled, "No pretense at all. Speaking with a saber is the most effective way."

Xu Fengnian quietly said, "Is that how you speak to the one in the capital as well?"

Xu Xiao, always uninhibited with this son, stated plainly, "Of course. Three hundred thousand Northern Liang iron cavalry make such a thunderous sound even when they fart, you can't help but hear it, even if you don't want to."

Xu Fengnian was preparing to go to the bottom of the lake to practice his saber skills. Surely he couldn't just agree with a phrase like, "Emperors come and go; tomorrow it'll be my turn"?

Xu Xiao asked, "Are you really going to keep practicing like this?"

Xu Fengnian wondered, "Otherwise?"

Xu Xiao pulled his hands from his sleeves, exhaled, and slowly revealed a hint: "Then go to Wudang. Someone is waiting for you there."

Xu Fengnian said in surprise, "It's not that you want me to learn the Jade Pillar Heart Method from Hong Xixiang, is it? That would be too embarrassing. The Lapis Lazuli World has nice scenery, but I wouldn't be comfortable practicing my saber there.

If he doesn't come down the mountain, and I go up, it's like the mountain won't come to me, so I go to the mountain. Honestly, I have no such inclination. I'd rather endure the old freak's curses and be covered in his spittle than live under someone else's roof on Mount Wudang."

The Grand Pillar General smiled faintly, "That young Daoist surnamed Hong doesn't have such ability. The one you are to meet is the Wudang Sect Leader, Wang Chonglou."

Xu Fengnian exclaimed in shock, "That old Daoist who secluded himself to cultivate the Grand Yellow Court Scroll? Did he really once split the Canglan River with a single finger? That's too miraculous; it's incredible, absolutely incredible!"

The Grand Pillar General thought for a moment and said, "I haven't seen it with my own eyes, but Wang Chonglou almost single-handedly contended with Mount Longhu, where the Four Heavenly Masters resided. He's probably not someone who seeks fame.

Moreover, in his early years, Li Yishan, when commenting on the affairs of the realm and writing his 'Generals and Ministers' and 'Rouge' evaluations, specifically mentioned this Daoist master, saying he had the potential to reach profound enlightenment. You should know that at that time, Wang Chonglou was just a middle-aged Daoist without much renown. As for the truth about splitting the river with a finger, won't you find out once you go to Mount Wudang?"

Xu Fengnian was utterly confused, "Wang Chonglou teaching me saber techniques? Impossible. So he's going to impart to me Wudang's most advanced and profound heart method?"

Xu Xiao chuckled, "You'll know when you get there."

Xu Fengnian didn't refuse. Wang Chonglou was a renowned master, one of the few top experts in the world, and it was always good to meet him and experience some Daoist spiritual essence.

He hoped Wang Chonglou wasn't another reclusive master like the great Mr. Wang from Shangyin Academy. More importantly, Xu Fengnian had been practicing his saber skills underwater, holding his breath. He recalled that Wudang had the bottomless White Elephant Pond, a pool formed by centuries and millennia of waterfall erosion, and he wanted to practice his saber there.

That year, Xu Fengnian entered Wudang alone at dusk.

Beneath the 'Mystic Martial Revival' archway, only two Daoists stood, vastly different in age.

One was, of course, the radiant and clear-minded young grand-uncle master, Hong Xixiang. The other was an old Daoist with the hair of a crane and the complexion of a child, whose physique was extremely robust, no less imposing than the old freak at the bottom of the lake. Such a build was truly rare among Daoists.

Upon seeing Xu Fengnian with his saber, neither Daoist exchanged pleasantries; they simply led the Crown Prince silently up the mountain.

Climbing the mountain was physically demanding. In the past, Xu Fengnian would need to rest several times during an ascent. After half a year of saber practice, he had improved significantly but still couldn't reach the summit in one go. However, whenever Xu Fengnian felt his energy wane and tiredness set in, the tall old Daoist would immediately stop. And when he stopped, Hong Xixiang stopped too.

Xu Fengnian sneered inwardly. This behavior was more cunning than having hundreds of 'ox-nosed' old Daoists come out to greet him.

The three stopped at the Hanging Immortal Coffin, not far from the White Elephant Pond. There was only a small thatched hut there, which seemed to be the Crown Prince's lodging. A fence of green bamboo surrounded it, and a table and chairs were placed in front of the hut. After Xu Fengnian and the old Daoist sat down, Hong Xixiang proactively went inside to fetch a simple tea set and squatted beside them to brew tea.

The old Daoist, whose identity was clear without needing to guess, had a benevolent expression and a gentle smile. He said, "Swordsmanship in the world is divided into Standing Sword, Moving Sword, and Seated Sword. The difficulty increases progressively, but the ultimate level of achievement is uncertain. Our Wudang has never recommended the ascetic Seated Sword method, as it goes against the natural order. However, we have some insights into Standing Sword and Moving Sword. May I ask, Crown Prince, which do you wish to learn?"

Xu Fengnian calmly replied, "I'm here to practice my saber."

Hong Xixiang, who was brewing tea, rolled his eyes.

The old Daoist benignly said, "Sword and saber techniques, though different paths, lead to the same destination: the pursuit of hand-to-hand combat where one person can fight a hundred. Take Deng Taia, for instance. He merely carried a peach branch, and you could call it a sword or a saber."

Xu Fengnian didn't want to waste time debating Daoist principles with the old Daoist; it was truly uninteresting. So he asked, "What is the difference between Standing Sword and Moving Sword?"

The old Daoist chuckled, "Simply put, Standing Sword involves more drawing and stopping of the sword, with a more forceful momentum, like a winter thunderclap—silent until it strikes, then startlingly powerful. Moving Sword emphasizes continuous movement, flowing without end, like a torrential summer rain, a splash of ink. If the Crown Prince prefers Standing Sword, there are several well-known sword forms on the mountain that, when combined with Wudang's unique heart method, the 'Essence Plucking Art,' mutually benefit each other. If you favor Moving Sword, that's fine too. On Jade Pearl Peak, there is a 'Sixty-Year Sword Practice Record of Greenwater Pavilion,' whose words are subtle and profound, capturing the essence of swordsmanship."

Xu Fengnian pondered for a moment and then asked, "What about the Seated Sword that Sect Leader Wang mentioned?"

The old Daoist looked troubled, "This ascetic seated method is a family secret of the Wu Family Sword Mound; outsiders are not privy to it."

The young grand-uncle master handed a cup of tea to each of them. It was wild tea from the mountain, brewed with spring water.

Xu Fengnian took a sip and smiled, "I forgot to congratulate Sect Leader Wang on emerging from seclusion."

The old Daoist smiled and nodded.

Hong Xixiang, however, sighed quietly.

Xu Fengnian hesitated, then quietly asked, "Did Sect Leader Wang truly split the Canglan River with a single finger?"

The old Daoist shook his head, "He did not."

Xu Fengnian felt a sense of relief. Since this robust old Daoist's ranking was still inferior to Wang Xianzhi's, it was good that his divine abilities had a weakness.

Hong Xixiang muttered, "It was two fingers."

My QT room is now open: Fenghuo Xizhu Hou's official QT room number [1655].

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