Chapter 7

The end of the mountain hunt left Zhao Shu quite satisfied. Not only did it train the young soldiers, but he also gained an assistant like Jiang Baishi, which was indeed a fruitful outcome.

Returning to the Qinghe Manor, it was a good time to let these young men rest and recuperate. They would re-enter the mountains when the heavy snow fell again.

Zhao Shu also wanted to take this opportunity to study the Yin-Yang Taiji Bell, aiming to advance to the True Qi Realm. Only with great strength could he protect himself and turn the tide.

"The *Yin-Yang Taiji Bell Sutra* is the foundational scripture of our Yin-Yang Sect. Although it mainly focuses on the cultivation of the divine soul, it also includes some techniques for refining the physical body. If Your Highness can comprehend it, you will surely break through to the True Qi Realm," Jiang Baishi explained the essentials of the *Yin-Yang Taiji Bell Sutra* to Zhao Shu with a respectful expression.

"The methods for cultivating the divine soul are indeed profound, but unfortunately, my status limits me from practicing them."

Zhao Shu chuckled lightly, gently rolling up the *Yin-Yang Taiji Bell Sutra*, his gaze filled with deep thought.

"Mr. Baishi, I will keep this scripture for now. If you can find a suitable disciple in the future, I will entrust this scripture to him."

Zhao Shu's calm words made Jiang Bai's face light up with joy. He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"There's no need for such formalities. Go ahead!"

Zhao Shu raised his hand to help Jiang Bai up and dismissed him. His eyes shone brighter as he watched Jiang Bai leave.

Suddenly, his body moved, and he began to perform the *Chi Yang Fist Technique*, a secret technique passed down in the royal family. This *Chi Yang Fist Technique* is extremely powerful and requires great strength and a robust physique to practice; otherwise, it could backfire and cause harm.

However, Zhao Shu was already on the path of power, and his Qilin Arm contained immense strength. As he performed the fist technique, a fiery red true qi appeared in his meridians, like a gentle stream. As this fiery red true qi circulated through his meridians, it gradually accumulated, and the gentle stream slowly turned into a mighty river, with the sound of surging waves.

At the peak of his fist technique, Zhao Shu's entire body seemed to be boiling, and the air around him became scorching hot.

"Ha!"

With a light shout, Zhao Shu punched a nearby granite table, shattering it into a pile of rubble.

"Although I cannot practice the methods for cultivating the divine soul, I can draw inspiration from them. Both paths lead to the same goal. It seems that when I encounter a bottleneck in the future, I should study more divine soul techniques."

Zhao Shu looked at the pile of rubble and couldn't help but laugh heartily.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! You have finally reached the True Qi Realm!"

Long Bo, hearing the commotion, entered and saw Zhao Shu's body slowly returning to normal, immediately bowing in celebration.

"Long Bo, I have finally reached the True Qi Realm. The methods for cultivating the divine soul have greatly benefited me, even beyond my expectations! Moreover, I have also comprehended a method for circulating true qi from the *Yin-Yang Taiji Bell Sutra*."

Zhao Shu laughed heartily, no longer hiding his excitement. He raised his hand, and true qi burst forth, forming a translucent, fiery red bell in his palm.

"I didn't expect Jiang Baishi to achieve such remarkable success. However, Your Highness's *Chi Yang Fist Technique* is a secret technique from the palace, a method that True Qi Realm martial artists dream of. It must not be revealed to outsiders, or it could cause turmoil in the martial world."

Long Bo, seeing the bell formed by true qi in Zhao Shu's palm and hearing him mention Jiang Baishi, reminded him, fearing that Zhao Shu might reveal the fist technique to outsiders.

"Long Bo, there's no need to worry. Trust those you use, and don't use those you doubt. Jiang Bai is now part of our team, so there's no need to be overly concerned."

Zhao Shu nodded, understanding that the *Chi Yang Fist Technique* was not a secret within the royal family but could cause significant upheaval in the secular martial world. The Song Dynasty valued literature over martial arts, making martial cultivation extremely difficult, especially for ordinary people. True Qi Realm martial artists were among the strongest.

"Your Highness, many people in Bianliang are imitating our water mills. Should we report this to the authorities to crack down on these imitators?"

Long Bo, thinking of something, said with indignation.

"Ha ha, there's no need to worry about them. Those who can imitate the water mills are likely from powerful families. Let the authorities deal with it."

Zhao Shu smiled lightly, picked up a cloak, shook off the dust, and draped it over his shoulders. His gaze passed through the window, looking at the distant Bianliang: "Night has fallen again. The lights of Bianliang are bright and the city is in full bloom, but it's also a place of drunken revelry!"

"Long Bo, how is the investigation of the Manichaeism in Jiangnan going?"

Zhao Shu, looking at the brightly lit Bianliang, narrowed his eyes, thinking of the rebellion led by Fang La in Jiangnan, and sighed.

"Your Highness, the Manichaeism has many followers in Jiangnan and is known as the Ming Sect by the common people. Their doctrine is based on the eight words: 'Purity, Light, Power, Wisdom.' The followers include farmers, scholars, officials, soldiers, outlaws, pirates, and martial artists. They wear white clothes and black hats, form secret societies, and revere the Ming Messenger as their supreme deity. We have already sent people to infiltrate the sect."

Long Bo's expression showed some concern. If not for Your Highness's order to investigate the Manichaeism, he might not have known the sect's influence.

"Heretical sects can cause great turmoil. Keep a close eye on them and try to win some people over. In the future, this heretical sect might become our merit."

Zhao Shu said calmly, but he sighed inwardly. The rebellion led by Fang La in Jiangnan was about to begin, which would weaken the Song Dynasty even more. He might use the suppression of this rebellion to train his troops and prepare for the Jurchen invasion from the north.

Since learning about the methods for cultivating the divine soul, he had become more attentive to the Manichaeism. If it could stir up the entire Jiangnan region, it was certainly not an ordinary existence.

"Understood, Your Highness!"

Long Bo's heart brightened upon hearing Zhao Shu's words.

"Long Bo, today is the Lantern Festival. I want to wander around Bianliang alone. You don't need to follow me."

Zhao Shu, wearing his cloak, walked out of the courtyard and disappeared into the night. Today was the Lantern Festival, and Zhao Shu should have been with the emperor to enjoy the lanterns in the city. However, since he was not favored by the emperor and was looked down upon by the officials, he had more free time.

He planned to use this time to go to the Zongzheng Temple to obtain the cultivation method of the *Zhenwu Decree*, a secret technique of the Song royal family. Only royal descendants who reached the True Qi Realm before the age of eighteen were eligible to practice it.

Taking advantage of his brothers watching the fireworks, he could fetch the *Zhenwu Decree* without unnecessary trouble.

Wearing his cloak, Zhao Shu arrived in the bustling Bianliang as night fell. The four gates of Bianliang were grand and wide, but there was no defense. Decades of prosperity and peace had left Bianliang without any defensive capabilities. The massive iron gates were removed for convenience, and sturdy bridges were built over the moat.

"Flowers in full bloom, but they are like castles in the air, ready to collapse at the slightest push."

Zhao Shu sighed as he looked at the massive walls of Bianliang and walked in. The streets were lit with lanterns, illuminating the entire city. Countless people were bustling through the city, and there was a grand fireworks display in front of the Xuande Gate. The imperial family would also attend to show their joy with the people.

"Sir, please stop. Your face is noble, but there is a dark aura between your eyebrows, indicating imminent disaster!"

As Zhao Shu was about to head to the Xuande Gate, a young Taoist in tattered robes, holding a divination board in one hand and making a hand sign with the other, stopped him with a deep and mysterious expression.

"Hmm?"

Zhao Shu's eyes showed a hint of curiosity as he turned to look at the young Taoist. He was about the same age as Zhao Shu, around sixteen or seventeen, and although he wore a Taoist robe, he looked somewhat destitute, like a fraud.

"Do you have a degree to practice divination? How dare you stop me?"

Zhao Shu said coolly and turned to leave.

"I am Zhang Junbao, who has been practicing in Wudang Mountain. Now that my cultivation is complete, I have come down the mountain to gain experience. I have a connection with you, so I am warning you!"

The young Taoist looked at Zhao Shu with dissatisfaction and said defiantly.

"Zhang Junbao? Wudang Mountain?"

Zhao Shu's expression changed, and he suddenly thought of someone. He stopped and carefully examined the young Taoist.

Could this young Taoist be the legendary Zhang Sanfeng of the future? The historical identity of Zhang Sanfeng has always been a mystery. Could he have encountered him? However, looking at the young Taoist, Zhao Shu found it hard to associate him with the immortal sage.