A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 45 Traditional Martial Arts
"Tell me in detail what exactly happened during that turmoil," Gu Xu said in a deep voice.

"Senior, this is not the place to talk. Please come to my residence, which is in the back mountain." Cangmu was now certain that the other party had no ill intentions. On the contrary, the fact that the other party was so concerned about Wudang must mean something significant.

"Alright, are you planning to pay respects to your ancestors?" Gu Xu asked, looking at the offerings in the bamboo basket next to him.

“Yes, I come here to pay my respects every month,” Cangmu replied respectfully.

What Gu Xu didn't know was that although Cang Mu was considered a skilled fighter among the younger generation, he was not favored by his master and Daoist Yang. In addition, due to the instigation of his uncle, Daoist Yuan Yang, Cang Mu could only live in seclusion in the back mountain.

Gu Xu nodded and said, "You're very kind. Let's go, lead the way."

"Senior, please follow me." After placing the offerings, Cangmu led Guxu towards the back mountain, where they traveled without hindrance.

"It seems that Wudang is truly declining with each generation. These ordinary disciples wouldn't even be able to protect themselves in the martial world," Gu Xu shook his head and sighed.

Upon hearing this, Cangmu dared not say anything more and led Gu Xu to a wooden house, which was very clean inside.

"Please have some tea, senior," Cangmu offered the teacup to Gu Xu, who took it and sipped it. "Now you can tell me about that turmoil back then."

"Yes, the turmoil at Wudang dates back to eighty years ago, during the reign of the ninth sect leader, Master Xuanzhen. At that time, Master Xuanzhen sensed that his lifespan was coming to an end, so he passed the position of sect leader to his eldest disciple, Fang Ming. However, he did not expect it to cause that turmoil, which is also the most painful memory for Wudang."

"Fang Ming had already married and had children before taking over Wudang. After becoming the sect leader, he devoted himself to Wudang. However, his wife, Liu, was a restless person. In order to make her son the next sect leader, she poisoned and killed three of the most competitive disciples. Later, the matter was exposed, which aroused the dissatisfaction of some elders. What followed was a bloody power struggle. That night was the darkest moment for Wudang."

Speaking of this, Cangmu was also filled with grief. It was during that turmoil that dozens of masters lost their lives, and even the library was mostly burned down. Wudang's prestige declined rapidly, and it even lost control of the martial arts world in Hubei.

"And then?" Gu Xu asked in a deep voice.

"Later, Fang Ming killed Liu Shi with his own hands and committed suicide to atone for his sins. A highly respected elder from the Law Enforcement Hall took charge of the situation and elected Chu Yue as the new sect leader. Fang Ming's son was also taken away by that elder and never appeared again. After Sect Leader Chu, a new rule was added: any Wudang disciple who marries and has children can never become the sect leader. This rule has been retained ever since."

After listening, Gu Xu remained silent.

"Later, an elder, in order to warn future generations, recorded this event in its entirety and placed it in the newly built library," Cangmu said, finishing his tea in one gulp.

"So that's how it is. Alas, trouble really comes from within. Cangmu, do you want to be the sect leader?" Gu Xu suddenly said this, which really startled Cangmu.

"Senior, who exactly are you?" Cangmu was eager to know the other party's background.

"You don't need to know my background. You just need to know that I have no ill intentions towards Wudang. As for you, whether you want to be the sect leader or not, answer me."

"Senior, why did you choose me?"

"Because I find you pleasing to the eye, and Wudang needs an ambitious person to lead it. Are you willing to take on this hardship?"

Cangmu remained silent for a moment, then looked at Gu Xu with a firm gaze: "This junior is willing."

"Alright, I'll stay at Wudang for a month to instruct you. How much you learn depends on yourself. Today, I'll first pass on to you the essential techniques of the Pure Yang Limitless Skill. Listen carefully."

Ignoring Cangmu's horrified gaze, Gu Xu recited a passage of mental cultivation formula. Cangmu suddenly snapped back to reality and hurriedly memorized the two hundred-odd words.

"After you've memorized it, practice according to the method. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime. I'll be staying here for now, so don't tell anyone about me," Gu Xu instructed Cang Mu.

"Yes, senior, please rest well. I will take my leave now," Cangmu said respectfully before leaving the room.

"This senior must be from Wudang. This mental cultivation technique is not something an ordinary person can produce." After thinking for a while, Cangmu shook his head inwardly. Since the senior had no ill intentions, he would do as he was told.

For the next period of time, Gu Xu devoted himself to teaching Cang Mu, and also told him some secret techniques that were not passed on to others. The latter did not disappoint Gu Xu's expectations. In just one month, he mastered the Pure Yang Limitless Skill and reached the entry level. The rest was just a matter of diligent practice step by step. There was no shortcut here.

"You have already mastered the Pure Yang Limitless Skill, and I have nothing more to teach you for now. As long as you practice diligently, you will surely become a top master. After you take over as the sect leader, I will give you another great gift."

"Senior, are you leaving?" Cangmu was very reluctant to part. Although the time they spent together was short, he felt very fulfilled. No one had ever given him such guidance before.

"Life is like a banquet, with gatherings and partings. Strive to complete the goals I have set for you, and I will come again when the time comes. Also, do not easily reveal the Pure Yang Wuji Gong before you have the ability to protect yourself, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

Gu Xu hadn't been idle during this time either. He investigated Wudang and found that apart from a few people, the rest were all mediocre.

Especially the sect leader He Yang, whose martial arts skills are not very high, is jealous of the talented and suppresses outstanding disciples. There is also Yuan Yang, who secretly colludes with the Eastern Depot to seize the position of sect leader. The remaining true disciples also set up their own factions, scheming against each other and constantly fighting among themselves, which depletes Wudang's already limited resources. It is really infuriating to watch.

Fortunately, there is still Cangmu. Once he becomes the sect leader, he can rebuild Wudang from ruin to new life.

"No need to see me off, just focus on your martial arts practice," Gu Xu said before leaping into the air and disappearing.

Cangmu whispered, "Soaring to the Clouds," and bowed deeply in the direction where Gu Xu had left.

After paying for the horse feed, Gu Xu rode his horse back to Murong Manor.

"Master, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you for a while," Gu Xu said, intending to stay here long-term to repay the life-saving grace and at the same time improve his martial arts.

"Young Master Xu, please don't be so polite. Please feel free to stay here. I would be more than happy to oblige." Murong Wudi was secretly delighted. With such a top expert in charge, he no longer needed to fear Liu Xi.

"Then I thank you for your kindness, Master. However, I cannot eat and stay for free. I see that Miss Murong is practicing martial arts with the nun. I happen to have some martial arts suitable for women to practice. If you don't mind, Master, I can give you some pointers."

"I don't mind at all. It's a blessing for Shu'er to receive guidance from Brother Xu. However, I must inform the Divine Nun here." Murong Wudi knew that Gu Xu's martial arts were superb and wished that his daughter would become his disciple. But then he thought of the Divine Nun and had to give up.

"It's quite fortunate that Shu'er can receive guidance from Brother Xu."

“That’s a good idea. I’ll leave the matter of the Divine Nun to the Master.” Gu Xu couldn’t speak directly, so he could only ask Murong Wudi to communicate with the Divine Nun.

“Of course, Brother Xu must be tired and hungry after his long journey. Fang Ren, go and tell the kitchen to send the food to Qiulan Courtyard.”

Gu Xu thanked him and left the living room for Qiulan Courtyard.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Xiao Cui ran out, looked at Gu Xu, and exclaimed with delight, "Young Master is back!"

Gu Xu smiled and nodded. Xiao Cui chattered incessantly, "Young Master, I've learned to make a few more desserts. You've definitely never tried them before. I'll go make them for you right now. You must try them!" With that, she hurriedly ran out. After eating the meal and desserts, it was already dusk. Gu Xu washed up, sat upright on the bed, and began his daily meditation.

The next day, Murong Wudi sent someone to invite Gu Xu to the living room for a meal. When Gu Xu arrived, he saw that there were already two boys at the table.

“Brother Xu, these are my two sons, Murong Zhong and Murong Zheng. Zhong’er and Zheng’er, why don’t you pay your respects to Uncle Xu?”

Murong Zhong and Murong Zheng were very afraid of their father. Upon hearing this, they immediately bowed to Gu Xu, who helped them up and said, "We are not worthy of such a great courtesy. The two sons of the manor lord have good potential and are good materials for martial arts training. I wonder if the manor lord would be willing to part with them."

Murong Wudi smiled and said, "What a great fortune these two lads are to be valued so highly by Brother Xu. You two should hurry up and pay your respects to our master."

Murong Zhong and the other man kowtowed again, and Gu Xu nodded, "You are now my disciples. If you fail to meet my requirements in the future, you will be punished. Even Master Murong cannot say anything. Remember that."

Since Murong Wudi wants him to take on disciples, he might as well be upfront about it to avoid any unpleasantness or problems in the future.

Murong Wudi believed that strict teachers produce outstanding students, and he had no objection to Gu Xu's words.

Upon seeing this, the South Sea Divine Nun exclaimed, "Amitabha! Congratulations, Young Hero Xu, on gaining such a fine disciple!"

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Murong Wudi invited everyone to sit down and have a meal.

After the meal, the South Sea Divine Nun put down her teacup and said to Gu Xu, "Yesterday, Master Murong said that Young Hero Xu wanted to instruct Shu'er in martial arts, and I have no objection. However, could you please let me broaden my horizons?"

"Of course, Master Murong. May I ask for the white silk and the longsword?" Gu Xu was going to pass on the Golden Bell Rope and the improved Jade Maiden Sword Technique to Murong Shu.

Murong Wudi hurriedly sent someone to fetch it, and soon the servant brought over the long sword and white silk.

“This space is too small, Master, Nun, why don’t we go to the garden? We can do our best there,” she said, picking up the two items and heading towards the garden first.

Murong Wudi and the South Sea Divine Nun exchanged a glance, both wanting to see just how powerful this martial art was, so they led Murong Shu and the other two to follow Gu Xu.

Upon arriving in the garden, Murong Wudi and the South Sea Goddess stared intently at Gu Xu, who then said, "This first set of martial arts is called the Golden Bell Rope, and it is most suitable for women to practice."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Xu flicked his wrist, and the white silk fluttered like a white dragon soaring up and down, turning left and right, like starlight encircling a ring, like the bright moon shining in the sky. In everyone's eyes, the white silk moved faster and faster, like a dazzling white light that made people unable to open their eyes. Then the light gradually faded, and the white silk wrapped around a boulder. With a gentle tug, a piece of the stone fell to the ground.

Not to mention the three people, Murong Shu and Murong Wudi and the South Sea Goddess, who were already stunned, even Murong Wudi and the South Sea Goddess were horrified.

To wield such power with ordinary white silk, perhaps only the two palace masters of the Yihua Palace can do it in the martial arts world today. And this is clearly not Gu Xu's true skill; this person is truly unfathomable.

Gu Xu ignored them, rolled up the white silk, took the long sword in his hand, and had already mastered a set of modified Jade Maiden Sword Technique. Although the sword moves were slightly fierce, they retained three parts of defense. He moved forward gracefully, like a fairy riding the wind, which was the most otherworldly. Murong Shu was dazzled by his skill.

The wind howled, a chill ran through the body, and the sound of sword energy cutting through the air was incessant, making people tremble with fear.

After completing a set of sword techniques, Gu Xu sheathed his sword and stood up, with flowers evenly scattered around him.

"Brother Xu is indeed a man of great talent, I am truly humbled. My daughter and son are so fortunate to have received your guidance, it is a blessing we have accumulated over three lifetimes," Murong Wudi said, regaining his composure first.

"With Brother Xu guiding Zhong'er and Zheng'er, they will be able to maintain this family business in the future." Murong Wudi is now more and more respectful to Gu Xu, and secretly rejoices in the choice he made back then. It was truly the will of Heaven.

"Young Master Xu, you have such skill, I admire you. May I ask what the name of that sword technique is?" The South Sea Divine Nun was a master of martial arts and had seen sword techniques from various schools, but none of them could match this one.

“You may not know this, but this sword technique is called the Jade Maiden Sword Technique. Like the Golden Bell Rope, it is a martial art of a close friend,” Gu Xu said slowly.

"My friend has been out of the public eye for a long time, and only passed down these two martial arts techniques. She asked me to find a successor for her, and Miss Murong is just right."

"I see. Such profound martial arts have broadened my horizons. Shu'er, in addition to practicing the martial arts I have taught you, you should first learn the Golden Bell Rope. After you have mastered it, you can then learn the Jade Maiden Sword Technique."

The South Sea Divine Nun, worried that Murong Shu was greedy, solemnly gave her instructions.

“What the nun said makes sense. It’s best to learn martial arts step by step. How about this, I’ll write down these two sets of martial arts, which will make things easier.”

"Very well, then I will trouble you, young hero Xu. This humble nun thanks you."

"You're too kind, Master. I need a quiet room," Gu Xu said, as she was about to open up the meridians of Murong Zhong and Murong Zheng.

"Brother Xu, please follow me. Please wait a moment, Nun," Murong Wudi gestured, leading Gu Xu and the other two to a stone cave. He tapped a mechanism, and with a rumble, the stone door opened. Murong Wudi said, "Brother Xu, please." He then stepped inside first.

Gu Xu entered the stone cave and found it to be very spacious. In the center was a round jade platform, about half a person's height. On both sides of the stone wall were inlaid a dozen or so large luminous pearls, which were emitting a bright light that illuminated the surroundings. There was a calming incense burning in the incense burner next to him, which smelled warm and comforting.

"Brother Xu, this is my secluded cultivation place. Are you satisfied with it?"

"The Master is truly generous. The Jade Platform, the Nourishing Incense, and the Light-Stabilizing Pearl are priceless treasures. The Jade Platform, in particular, is of great benefit to those who practice martial arts," Gu Xu exclaimed. "No wonder you are the number one family in the martial arts world."

"I'm glad Brother Xu is satisfied. I won't bother you any longer. Zhong'er, Zheng'er, you must listen to your master, understand?"

"Understood, Father," Murong Zhong and Murong Zheng had long been impressed by Gu Xu's martial arts demonstration and dreamed of becoming like him in the future, so they treated Gu Xu with utmost respect.

After Murong Wudi left, Gu Xu had the two of them walk onto the Cold Jade Platform, sit cross-legged, and relax their minds. Then he flew up and placed his hands on their backs, slowly channeling his inner energy into them to expand their meridians. After a while, sweat began to seep from Murong Wudi's face, and his complexion turned pale. However, the two remembered Gu Xu's instructions and dared not shout loudly, enduring the pain.

"Alright, you can open your eyes now," Gu Xu withdrew his hand, and the two of them immediately collapsed onto the stage. Murong Zhong and Murong Zheng really didn't want to experience that kind of pain again.

"Master, when can we practice martial arts?" Murong Zhong sat upright, looking at Gu Xu, while Murong Zheng also looked eager.

"To learn martial arts, you must first learn basic skills. You need to lay a solid foundation for three years before you can cultivate internal energy. Now that your meridians are open, a strong foundation is essential for going further. I will first teach you a breathing technique. Listen carefully."

Gu Xu taught the two the most basic Qi cultivation method of Wudang. As long as they practiced diligently for three years, they could strengthen their foundation and lay the groundwork for the Nine Yang Skill.

Gu Xu had his own plans for teaching the two so diligently. When Murong Shu entered the palace as a concubine in the future, the Murong family would have connections in both the court and the martial arts world, making it more convenient for him to do his things.

"The Six Ren Divine Dice, a method of substitution and grafting."

(End of this chapter)