A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 1 Gu Xu
At nightfall on Wudang Mountain, the disciples' quarters...

After circulating the pure Yang energy throughout his meridians and completing the full cycle, Gu Xu slowly withdrew it back into his dantian, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and then opened his eyes, thinking to himself that he had been here for sixteen years.

During the apocalypse, Zhang Gu fell into a hibernation pod and, after an unknown period of time, woke up to find himself in the world of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.

Having lost both his parents in this life, he was taken to Wudang by the patriarch Zhang Sanfeng when he was four years old. He became a disciple of Yu Daiyan. Due to his intelligence and excellent physique, coupled with his diligence in learning, his martial arts skills have now made him the number one among the three generations of disciples, and he is already close to Mo Shenggu, the last of the Seven Heroes of Wudang.

Therefore, he was given the Taoist name "Gu Xu" by the patriarch, and the name Zhang Gu from his previous life was no longer used.

Gu Xu knew in his heart that his current good fortune was probably due to that strange jade pendant. The jade pendant was originally a personal item from his previous life, and it was this item that brought him here.

After he cultivated his first wisp of true energy at the age of eight, this thing quietly sank into his sea of ​​consciousness, as if it had lost its vitality, and there has been no change in the past eight years.

Gu Xu got out of bed, walked to the window, pushed open the wooden window, looked up at the bright moon, and thought that tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunion. He felt a little sentimental. In his previous life, apart from fighting against strange beasts and monsters, he was always thinking about how to survive and lived a precarious life. There was no such thing as enjoyment.

Thinking of this, Gu Xu's obsession completely disappeared. Having come to this world, he should take in all its beautiful scenery to make this trip worthwhile. To repay his master's kindness, to preserve himself, and to revitalize Wudang, he had an inescapable responsibility.

Several years ago, Master Yu Daiyan was injured by the Vajra Finger and became crippled. He was depressed all day long. Fortunately, his grandmaster and senior brothers and uncles often comforted him. In addition, his martial arts skills improved day by day, which made him proud and relieved his depression.

Although he knew that the Vajra Sect possessed the Black Jade Rejuvenating Ointment, which would be useful to his master, Gu Xu did not tell the patriarchs and others immediately. This was because it was not easy to explain, since he had never left Wudang Mountain before. How could he know about such a precious medicine? Even the patriarchs and others did not know. Where did a third-generation disciple like himself get the information?

Fortunately, things will be clear after tomorrow. All I need to do is go down the mountain to travel, and after some time, write a letter to my senior brothers and sisters about the Black Jade Broken Heart Ointment. Then, I can secretly lead my men and have nothing to fear from the small Vajra Sect.
Early next morning
Gu Xu sat cross-legged on the mountaintop, absorbing the misty purple energy of the rising sun. He slowly drew it into his abdomen and circulated his internal energy cultivation technique, making his pure yang energy even more condensed and refined. After completing his daily practice, Gu Xu first went to pay his respects to his master.

As they traveled, Wudang Mountain was brightly decorated, and the festive atmosphere grew stronger. Arriving at Yu Daiyan's residence, they found his junior brother Qingfeng helping him wash up. After paying his respects to their master, Yu Daiyan invited him to eat with him. The meal was simple—just vegetables, tofu, and rice porridge—but Gu Xu ate with great satisfaction. After the meal, Gu Xu told Yu Daiyan about his journey down the mountain. Yu Daiyan looked at Gu Xu and said, "You are the one I trust the most. I don't have much to say, but after you go down the mountain, don't tarnish Wudang's reputation."

"I will obey your orders, Master. My main purpose in going down the mountain this time, besides traveling around the world, is to seek out famous doctors and miraculous medicines to find a way to cure your body."

Looking at Gu Xu's resolute face, Yu Daiyan's eyes welled up with tears. This disciple was the best gift God had given him, bringing a glimmer of light to his crippled self.

"It's good that you mean well, but you must not put yourself in a dangerous situation." Yu Daiyan knew his own physical condition; even his master couldn't do anything about it, let alone Gu Xu. However, this was his disciple's heartfelt wish, so he couldn't bear to expose it.

As the two were talking, Qingfeng knocked on the door and came in, saying that their eldest uncle invited their master and senior brother to the Zixiao Palace. Yu Daiyan knew that his eldest brother had something to discuss, so he had Gu Xu push him towards the Zixiao Palace.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the two arrived outside the hall. Just then, a handsome child ran out quickly. Upon seeing Yu Daiyan and the other, the child called out in a clear voice, "Uncle-Master, Senior Brother," and then stood respectfully to the side. When Yu Daiyan saw the child, a look of affection appeared on his face, while Gu Xu smiled slightly.

This child is the only beloved son of Grandmaster Song Yuanqiao, named Qingshu. He is only four years old now, a lively and active age. With the pampering of his elders, he is even more unruly and causes chaos in Wudang Mountain. He is not afraid of anyone except Gu Xu.

Yu Daiyan pulled Song Qingshu to his side and asked kindly, "Qingshu, where did you run off to in such a hurry? What bad thing did you do this time?" Gu Xu looked at Song Qingshu's sleeves stained with ink and said with a smile, "I'm afraid Qingshu has knocked over the inkstone again."

Relying on Yu Daiyan's presence, Song Qingshu made faces at Gu Xu with both hands, forgetting the ink on his clothes. His originally handsome face instantly turned black, which made Yu Daiyan and Gu Xu burst into laughter.

Joyful laughter echoed into the hall, followed by a deep voice that said, "Is that Third Junior Brother and Gu Xu? Come in quickly." The three of them then entered the hall together.

(End of this chapter)