Chapter 86: Let True Qi Respond to All Things (真氣應物)

Xianyue still had doubts even after arriving at Zhen Wugong. The young man named Lian Jieha was too young, making it difficult to guess his relationship with Tianjishang.

Sibai had moved from Taihua Palace to Zhen Wugong after reaching the peak of his cultivation last year. Internally and externally, he was the second-in-command after the sect leader.

"Sibai, it's Xianyue."

"What is it?"

Tianjishang did not even look up from his scriptures.

Xianyue thought the young man named Lian Jieha was unlucky. Tianjishang was a person who, once he started reading, wouldn't move even if the sect leader called him.

"Sibai, you have a visitor."

"..."

As expected, Tianjishang seemed to have heard it with one ear and gave no response.

Xianyue spoke again, louder this time.

"A young man named Lian Jieha has come. Should I tell him to come back later?"

Instantly, Tianjishang closed the book he was reading.

He then sprang up from his seat and walked out.

"Did you say the visitor's name is Lian Jieha?"

"Yes, he's waiting at the Sword Pavilion."

Tianjishang hastily put on his shoes and ran out without looking back, even using his lightness technique.

Xianyue, surprised by the sudden turn of events, could only blink as Sibai's figure disappeared into the distance.

"Lian Xiaoye! Welcome!"

Tianjishang grabbed Lian Jieha's hands and shook them as if he had met a long-lost lover.

Lian Jieha smiled awkwardly, feeling more than welcomed.

"Haha, how have you been? I just thought of you while passing by."

"Hehe. I thought you might have forgotten me since I haven't heard from you in a while. Come, let's go up."

"Wait a moment."

Lian Jieha untied the sword at his waist.

"Why are you doing that with your sword?"

"To climb Wudang Mountain, I need to leave my sword, right?"

Tianjishang waved his hand and said,

"Hehe, that's not necessary. Occasionally, some inexperienced young men come to challenge us, so we created this rule to filter them out. Who could possibly take charge of Lian Xiaoye's sword?"

"Oh, is that it?"

Lian Jieha tied his sword back to his waist.

After all, a famous sect like Wudang would naturally attract troublemakers.

Lian Jieha subtly turned his head to look at the young Taoist.

Xiansong, looking awkward, subtly turned away.

Just after Tianjishang and Lian Jieha started climbing the mountain, Xianyue hurried over.

Looking around the empty Sword Pavilion, he asked,

"Junior Brother, did the visitor leave?"

"Yes. Sibai came down himself to escort him. Who is this Lian Jieha that Sibai would come down to the Sword Pavilion? He treated him with great respect."

"I don't know either. He was reading scriptures without looking up, but suddenly rushed out when he heard the name."

"Hehe. I heard that even if the sect leader calls him while he's reading, he won't respond."

"Exactly. I have no idea who this person is."

"Could he be a grandson?"

"Pfft, nonsense. A person who has cut ties with the secular world and lives alone wouldn't have a grandson."

"If not, it doesn't make sense, does it?"

"Who knows? He might be the descendant of a high-ranking person we don't know."

The third-generation disciples, Xianyue and Xiansong, discussed Lian Jieha's identity for a long time.

***

Tianjishang led Lian Jieha to Zhen Wugong.

Although it's difficult for even Wudang disciples to enter Zhen Wugong, Tianjishang didn't mind bringing an outsider in. This showed how much he trusted Lian Jieha.

Lian Jieha's eyes widened as he looked at the rows of books on the shelves.

"Wow! There are so many books."

"These books are another history of Wudang."

"Are they all about martial arts?"

"Yes."

Lian Jieha's mouth dropped open.

He never imagined there could be so many books about martial arts!

"Sit down. Although there are many volumes, they are nothing compared to Lian Xiaoye's martial arts."

This was a statement that would make any Wudang disciple gasp.

If even one of the martial arts books from Zhen Wugong were to be released into the world, it would cause chaos.

Tianjishang poured tea into Lian Jieha's cup and asked,

"How are your sworn brothers?"

"Only two are left. The others have gone down the mountain to make a living."

"I see. That's a good thing. I knew the heroes of Wufeng Mountain were different from other bandits. Still, it was a difficult decision for them to make."

"From the fact that they haven't returned to the mountain after a month, it seems they are adapting well."

"Hehe. The Wufeng Ten Heroes leaving the bandit world is truly a blessing for the martial arts world."

Tianjishang looked at Lian Jieha with a meaningful gaze.

He stayed in the bandit world out of loyalty to his sworn brothers. If they left, he would gradually distance himself from the bandit world as well.

Lian Jieha smiled and sipped his tea.

Whether or not things would go as Tianjishang hoped, it didn't seem to bother him.

"Lian Xiaoye wouldn't just come here for nothing. What business do you have with me?"

"Actually..."

Lian Jieha began to share his recent concerns.

In fact, such a question would only be possible between master and disciple, but Lian Jieha didn't realize this.

Tianjishang smiled, his eyes never leaving Lian Jieha.

This young martial arts expert truly seemed to have fallen from the heavens into the secular world.

His detachment from the world's superficialities was evident.

"Actually, I came to get some fresh air and also to seek some advice from Grandfather Taoist."

Tianjishang nodded when Lian Jieha finished speaking.

Indeed, Lian Jieha lacked a systematic education and a solid foundation. This was likely why he was stuck in Yi Qi Er Jian, a high-level technique.

'He already knows everything, yet he hasn't realized it himself...'

Yi Qi Er Jian is about controlling qi with the mind.

With his ability to control sword qi with mental imagery, it shouldn't be difficult.

But he doesn't know this.

Secrets are like that.

They seem profound but are actually simple.

Sects polish these simple secrets and teach them in secret.

And they never leave the sect (門外不出).

'What should I do now?'

Tianjishang reflected on his connection with Lian Jieha.

He had even taught the principles of advanced sword techniques to someone who had come to kill him.

This is the Great Way (大道).

How can the Great Way be confined to a sect?

The Great Way has no boundaries (大道無門).

A mischievous smile appeared on Tianjishang's face.

He half-closed his eyes, looking at the tip of his nose, and muttered to himself,

"Where the eyes reach, the mind follows; where the mind reaches, the qi follows. Qi is the transformation of the mind; when the mind moves, the qi moves."

Yi Qi Er Jian is a high-level technique in swordsmanship.

Tianjishang revealed the essence of the most advanced sword technique he knew, the Heavenly Sword Technique. This was the only way to guide Lian Jieha on the right path.

However, he couldn't teach the sect's secrets without permission, so he spoke to himself, hoping Lian Jieha would understand.

"Ascending [昇], descending [降], separating [離], and merging [合] all follow the mind, which is qi. Thus, by using qi to respond to all things, one gradually masters the sword [真氣應物 渐入御剑]."

Lian Jieha's eyes became hazy.

Tianjishang left him to his thoughts and quietly went outside.

He squatted on the stone steps in front of Zhen Wugong, gazing at the distant sky.

Today, the sky seemed higher and the mountains greener.

Feeling both empty and full, he chuckled, "Hehe."

The sect leader, Tai Xu Zhenren, approached.

"You said a young visitor came. Why are you outside?"

"I didn't want to disturb his tranquility, so I stepped aside."

The word "tranquility" in Tianjishang's voice was not ordinary.

Tai Xu Zhenren, with his experience, wouldn't miss this.

"Surely you're not talking about the tranquility of the True Way?"

The "True Way" refers to Wudang's secret techniques.

Leaving the visitor alone in Zhen Wugong and coming out, he must be worried.

"Hehe. The world has no master."

Tension appeared on Tai Xu Zhenren's face.

The words were true.

The world is the Way, and the Way has no master.

Tai Xu Zhenren, glancing at Zhen Wugong, asked in a serious tone,

"What did you teach the visitor?"

"I shared the essence of the Heavenly Sword Technique once."

"..."

The mention of the Heavenly Sword Technique made Tai Xu Zhenren's tension ease.

The Heavenly Sword Technique is a legendary technique learned by the sword immortal Yu Dongbin from the immortal Hualong Zhenren.

It was later passed down to Yu Dongbin's disciples, spreading to Wudang, Huashan, and Quanzhen sects.

Since then, the Heavenly Sword Technique has become a semi-secret technique.

There is a secret about the Heavenly Sword Technique that is not known to the public.

Many Taoists have tried to master it, but none have succeeded.

That's why Wudang is famous for the Taiji Sword, Huashan for the Plum Blossom Sword, and Quanzhen for the Wuji Sword.

For this reason, Tai Xu Zhenren didn't mention the sect rules.

"You must have made a good judgment. However, I'm curious about the visitor who made the Zhen Wugong master reveal the essence of the Heavenly Sword Technique. I heard he is young."

"Perhaps you remember the task you entrusted to me last year?"

"Ah, the Wufeng Mountain bandits? Surely not?"

Tai Xu Zhenren's eyes widened.

Last year, the only task given to Tianjishang was to suppress the Wufeng Mountain bandits.

"Yes, it's Lian Xiaoye of the Wufeng Ten Heroes."

"Lian Jieha!"

Tai Xu Zhenren remembered the name because the story was shocking. Lian Jieha was the bandit who defeated Tianjishang.

"Indeed."

"Hehehe."

A bandit from the bandit world stepping into the sacred ground of Wudang and even obtaining the Heavenly Sword Technique in Zhen Wugong. If the martial arts world knew, it would be in an uproar.

Tai Xu Zhenren, laughing in a resigned manner, said in a serious tone,

"Hmm, he is still young. I hope you will guide him well."

Tai Xu Zhenren had nothing else to say.

Tianjishang, though one rank below him, was not close enough for him to give unsolicited advice.

"Grandmaster, don't worry. Lian Xiaoye has clearly learned a Daoist martial art. He is not someone who will follow the path of the heterodox."

"I understand. I trust your judgment completely. Then, I'll leave it to you."

Tianjishang bowed to Tai Xu Zhenren in gratitude.

If the grandmaster had brought up the sect rules, it would have been a headache, but he didn't.

After about an hour, Lian Jieha came out.

"Grandfather Taoist, why are you outside?"

"Hehe. I just wanted to enjoy the breeze. So, have you resolved your doubts?"

"Yes, I didn't know that qi is the transformation of the mind. Knowing this, everything became clear."

"Ha ha ha!"

Tianjishang, who had been listening quietly, burst into laughter.

This young prodigy had unexpected gaps in his knowledge. He was so different from the disciples of famous sects. How did he become a martial arts expert with such a loose foundation?

After laughing for a while, Tianjishang became curious.

"Did you have any trouble with the essence?"

Surely not.

No one has mastered the Heavenly Sword Technique since Yu Dongbin. How could he learn it just from the essence?

In sword techniques, the essence is the blood, and the form is the bone. No one can master a sword technique with only the essence, especially without the core structure. This is impossible unless one has reached a level beyond the basics.