Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 278 Descending the Mountain
Wow!

As the water dripped, Huang Yu stepped out of the hot spring, put on his clothes, and prepared to leave.

"Brother!"

Suddenly, Zhou Wu's voice came from the next room behind the stone wall. Hearing this, Huang Yu stopped in his tracks: "What is it?"

"What is the reason you came here?" Zhou Wu lay in the hot spring gazing at the sky.

"To find an answer."

After thinking for a moment, Huang Yu said softly, "And you?"

Zhou Wu tilted his head and thought for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "I don't know. Someone asked me to come, so I came. But now I understand why I came here."

"Ok?"

"That is to defeat you, to trample you under my feet, to make you hug my leg and call me Xiao Wu, then I'll submit, I'll submit, only then will all the suffering I've endured be worthwhile," Zhou Wu laughed heartily.

Uh… Huang Yu’s lips twitched, and he lowered his head speechlessly. Without lingering, he strode away.

"Seeking answers...?"

Zhou Wu looked in the direction Huang Yu had left: "No wonder I felt his swordsmanship was impeccable, but there was a hint of hesitation in his sword."

Although there was a wall between them, he seemed to see Huang Yu's figure.

"Also, why do I always feel like he's living a very tiring life whenever I see him? He's not that much older than me!"

Zhou Wu's gaze deepened: "Is he... really the renowned martial arts genius of the Huang family of Chaoge?"

He met this senior brother only a handful of times during his year at Guigu.

But from the very first meeting, he felt that the other person was very silent. To put it nicely, that was called composure; to put it bluntly, that was a complete lack of the vigor that a young person should have.

Therefore, he felt that the other person was very tired, and he was also very tired because of it.

As for why, he couldn't explain it...

Zhou Wu was naturally a lively and cheerful person, and his return brought a lot of liveliness to the once quiet Guigu Valley.

Although the two cultivate on their own every day, they still compete with each other, resulting in a high degree of involution.

Only after exhausting himself did he drag his weary body back. After soaking in the hot spring to relieve his fatigue, he returned to the reed hut in the evening and listened to Yu Ding talk for an hour about astronomy, geography, the five elements, the eight trigrams, and other miscellaneous things.

While Huang Yu might be slightly better in terms of combat instincts, Zhou Wu is more interested in subjects like astronomy and geography, learns them faster, and understands them more thoroughly.

Life in Guigu was exhausting for the two of them, but because of the presence of another rival, they never found it boring.

Spring comes and autumn goes, cold comes and heat goes, and another year has passed in the blink of an eye.

"Master!"

That night, after finishing his lecture, Huang Yu remained kneeling motionless and did not get up to leave.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Wu's expression shifted, and he simply sat down as well.

"how?"

Yu Ding glanced at Huang Yu: "Didn't the Horizontal Technique resolve the doubts you were looking for?"

Huang Yu paused for a moment, then nodded slightly: "It's solved, and I have the answer now, but... I don't know if the answer I chose is correct."

"That's because you haven't grasped it yet," Yu Ding said.

Zhou Wu smiled and said, "Senior brother, Master said that you haven't grasped the meaning yet."

"Xiao Wu, listen up too."

Yu Ding glanced at him, and immediately, Zhou Wu also sat up straight.

"The highest principle of the Guigu School is decision-making. Decision means to decide, and choice means to select. To make a decision first and then choose is for profit, while to choose first and then decide is for righteousness."

Yu Ding said, “There is no right or wrong answer after every choice. Everyone will encounter many choices in their life. But when people make choices, they think about right and wrong, but forget that right and wrong are relative and constantly changing... You will understand this in the future.”

Zhou Wu nodded thoughtfully.

Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted beside him. Zhou Wu turned his head in shock and saw that the confusion in Huang Yu's eyes gradually dissipated, revealing a blazing light. A rumbling sound came from his body, like waves crashing against the shore at high tide, and a terrifying aura that was even more turbulent and powerful than before erupted around him.

“This…” Zhou Wu looked at this scene with shock and envy in his eyes.

At this moment, he could easily see that his senior brother had broken through another realm and his strength had increased significantly.

"Senior brother was already at the Divine Travel Realm before, so is he now at the mid-stage or... the perfect stage?" Zhou Wu asked in surprise and uncertainty.

No, what is this? They were all listening to their master talk about the same thing, so how come that guy suddenly... understood?

Isn't it just a decision and a choice?

Is it really necessary to suddenly give me such a surprise?

A moment later, Huang Yu felt a surge of energy flow into his body like rivers flowing into the sea. He opened his eyes and said with a resolute gaze, "Thank you, Master!"

Zhou Wu sized up his senior brother beside him, his eyes habitually narrowing.

For some reason, he felt that his senior brother seemed a little different at this moment.

"It seems you've made your own decision and found your own answer, that's great."

Yu Ding nodded slightly: "You must remember that there is not always an answer to a question, but you are looking for one."

Seeking answers from others in order to gain their approval is tantamount to giving up your right to make your own choices. However, others' answers will limit your vision due to their perspective. Seeking answers through the approval of the world will limit your ability to find your own answers because of the world's limited perspective and opinions.

As evening fell, the setting sun painted the western horizon a crimson gold.

On a cliff in Guigu, a cool breeze rustled through the wild grass covering the mountain.

"It's so beautiful!"

Zhou Wu sat on a protruding rock with a blade of grass between his teeth, his arms supporting him behind him, his legs dangling in the air, and he squinted, enjoying the breeze.

Beside him, Huang Yu stood with his sword in his arms, his robes fluttering in the wind, a rare hint of relaxation in his eyes as he watched the sunset.

"It seems like you're in a good mood, Senior Brother," Zhou Wu said.

Huang Yu said, "Looking at such a beautiful landscape, it's hard not to feel good."

"So, senior brother, what decision did you make, and what answer did you find?" Zhou Wu raised an eyebrow.

"Xiao Wu, everyone's path is different."

Huang Yu's gaze shifted from the setting sun to Zhou Wu, his eyes burning: "I have found my path, and you, in the future, will also make your own choices and find your own path."

"Alright, alright, I know. Why is your tone starting to sound like Master's, all mysterious and rambling?"

Zhou Wu waved his hand impatiently, then smiled and said, "We'll talk about the future later."

"I gotta go!"

Huang Yu looked into the distance and said, "Please convey my farewell to my master."

Zhou Wu was taken aback and exclaimed in surprise, "What? The three-year period hasn't ended yet."

"But I found the answer, I found what I needed to do, and..."

Huang Yu gazed at the distant mountains and rivers, his eyes burning with fervor, and declared confidently, "No one and nothing in this world can stop me from doing what I'm about to do."

In an instant, an aura of self-assurance, fearlessness, and power that commanded the respect of all men erupted from him.

"Ok?"

Zhou Wu turned around in shock, as if seeing this man for the first time.

Soon, Zhou Wu's lips curled slightly, and he stood up, saying, "Since you are going down the mountain, then our final battle... should begin."

"We are bound to have a war, but not now, but in the future."

Huang Yu glanced at him, then traversed the air, stepped off the cliff, and strode away: "When you find your path, that will be the time for our final battle."

"Moo!"

A five-colored divine ox, its feet shrouded in mist, rose from the ground and followed.

"With that kind of aura, does my senior brother... really have the surname Huang?"

Zhou Wu stared blankly at the departing domineering figure. He used to be absolutely certain of the other party's identity, but now he had some doubts.

Inside the reed hut.

Yu Ding sat cross-legged with his eyes closed in meditation. Not far away, Zhou Wu walked over, sword in hand, deep in thought.

"Master, my senior brother asked me to pass on a message to you."

Zhou Wu said, "He said he's gone."

Yu Ding kept his eyes closed and said, "Hmm!"

Zhou Wu asked in surprise, "Master, you already knew?"

Yu Ding said calmly, "I have already taught him everything I needed to, and he has found the answers he was looking for. What's the point of keeping him here any longer except to waste time?"

"Hmph, at least he has me as an opponent."

Zhou Wu snorted with a displeased expression.

Yu Ding opened his eyes and glanced at him. Seeing this, Zhou Wu slightly raised his head to make his presence known.

Yu Ding said, "Yu'er's decision to leave is the right one."

Zhou Wu's face immediately fell: "No, Master, this isn't fair. We're all your disciples, and you said our aptitudes are similar, but one is more skilled than the other, which only shows that you..."

Yu Ding narrowed his eyes: "How about I explain this to you?"

"Ahem, this only means that the one with the lower skill level... hasn't been practicing hard enough, right?!" Zhou Wu chuckled dryly.

"If I didn't want you to catch up with Yu'er, I wouldn't have given you special training. Your physical attributes are similar, but your family backgrounds, burdens, and experiences are all different."

Yu Ding chuckled and sighed, "To be honest, the gap between you and him was already very small, but just now... whether it's your state of mind or your cultivation, your senior brother has surpassed you by far."

"I'm really speechless..."

Zhou Wu slapped his forehead in exasperation, then suddenly looked up as if he had just remembered something and asked, "Master, Senior Brother... is his surname really Huang?"

"So, is your surname Zhou?" Yu Ding glanced at him.

It was indeed fake… Zhou Wu’s eyes flashed and he chuckled, “Then Master, what is Senior Brother’s real name, and who is he really?”

"I don't know! Didn't I say that I'm not interested in your identities or names?"

Yu Ding glanced at him and said indifferently, "Do you remember what I said to you just now?"

Zhou Wu asked cautiously, "Which sentence?"

“Not every question has an answer, and now I have another piece of advice for you,” Yu Ding said.

Zhou Wu was overjoyed: "What did you say?"

Yu Ding smiled slightly, stood up, and said, "Leave the problem to time; it will give you the answer you want."

I@%……Zhou Wu was stunned for a moment, then his face immediately turned dark.

Yu Ding walked to the edge of the reed hut, looked at the cascading waterfall, and said softly, "Can the two of you bear the fate of all the people in the world?"

“Uh…” Zhou Wu looked at the waterfall and couldn’t help but scratch his head.

He felt that his master had said everything, yet it was also as if he hadn't said anything at all.

"Master, is it true that only one of us can survive?" Zhou Wu asked in silence.

After returning from special training, he spent another year with that senior brother.

He also gained some understanding of that senior brother...

Before meeting this person, he had never admired anyone in his life.

Yu Ding said softly, "When you want to get something from someone else..."

"Okay, okay, I understand. This means I've given up my chance to answer. I'll remember it, and I'll find the answer myself."

Zhou Wu picked up his sword and turned to leave as if fleeing.

Yu Ding's lips curled up slightly. He could feel that his efforts had not been in vain; the two boys had been subtly influenced by each other.

As the saying goes, even humans aren't plants or trees, so how can they be without feelings?

After Huang Yu left, Guigu immediately became much quieter.

Because Zhou Wu became much quieter.

Although Huang Yu was a man of few words, Zhou Wu felt that at least he could communicate with him on an equal footing. If he was in a bad mood, he could find a reason to have a fight and feel better.

After he left, Zhou Wu immediately became much more bored. At first, he could still train intensely every day, but gradually, he didn't push himself as hard.

Thus, half a month later.

Yu Ding sat quietly in front of the reed hut. At this moment, Zhou Wu, carrying a sword on both shoulders, led the little wild chicken over.

"You... have you broken through to the Divine Travel Realm?" Yu Ding asked.

"Thanks to my master's guidance."

Zhou Wu nodded happily, feeling that his strength had greatly increased after breaking through the realm.

Furthermore, he even vaguely sensed an invisible and formless barrier of light, but unfortunately, it was elusive and difficult to fix.

He had a premonition that once he broke through that ethereal barrier, he would immediately break through and step into another wondrous realm.

Yu Ding shook his head: "I'm just guiding you through the basics; the rest is up to you."

"Master, there is another matter I have come to discuss with you, which is to bid you farewell."

Zhou Wu smiled, then said with a hint of reluctance, "You have already taught me what you were supposed to teach, and I have learned what I was supposed to learn. Now that I have completed my studies, I must... leave the mountain."

“Go!” Yu Ding nodded slightly, showing no surprise.

“But if I leave, there will be no one to serve Master…” Zhou Wu hesitated.

"You're acting like you're serving me..." Yu Ding patiently waved his hand: "It's alright! Don't worry!"

Zhou Wu said reluctantly, "Master, I can't bear to part with you!"

Yu Ding's lips twitched: "It's nothing! Let's go!"

"Master, as I depart, I have nothing of value to offer, so I will leave you a jade pendant. In the future, whenever you arrive in Xiqi, you will be greeted by many people simply by showing this jade pendant." Zhou Wu stepped out a jade pendant.

Yu Ding accepted the jade pendant: "Very well, it's rare to see such filial piety from you."

Then, Zhou Wu still didn't leave, just staring longingly at the jade cauldron.

"Anything else?"

"Hehe, Master, why don't you give your disciple a treasure too, as a keepsake or something?"

"roll!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Ding flew into a rage. With a flick of his sleeve, he sent the chicken and the man outside Ghost Valley.

Good lad, he's trying to fleece his master too.

Is giving each of you a sword not enough?
He didn't even go out and ask around. It's always been Yu Ding who fleeces people. Who has ever fleeced him?

but……

Yu Ding looked into the distance, his gaze gradually becoming deep.

Now that those two lads have gone down the mountain, the great calamity... is imminent!

But... what does it have to do with him?

Yu Ding's smile became unrestrained. Anyway, with these two disciples, he was sure to win no matter what the outcome was!

Hey, not panicked at all!

Hmph, let those guys scheme and plot against each other one by one!
……

At this moment, in the distant Chaoge.

A divine ox with hooves emitting clouds and mist landed in front of the Huang Mansion.

Upon receiving the news, a young man of similar age to Huang Yu, with a dignified and composed demeanor, led a group of people to welcome him into the mansion.

"Your Highness, you're finally back!"

The young man said urgently, "Where have you been for the past two years? The King and the Princess are so worried about you, do you know that?"

If my master hadn't cast a divination and predicted such an auspicious sign, I would have definitely beaten my little sister to death and would have taken people to find you no matter what.

The 'Huang Yu' he brought in was none other than Zi Shou, the third son of the current Shang King Di Yi!
"Haha, Flying Tiger, no, no, as for my matter... we'll talk about it later."

After catching up for a while, Zi Shou smiled and said, "Speaking of which, I have something else important to tell you."

After glancing around, Huang Feihu immediately understood and waved for everyone to leave.

Once the man left, Huang Feihu said irritably, "Now tell me what it is."

"I will claim the throne!"

Zi Shou spoke calmly, his voice not loud, but extremely firm.

These words struck Huang Feihu like a thunderclap, and he exclaimed in shock, "What?!"

"I want to challenge the boss for the throne!"

Zi Shou remained completely calm, raising his eyes to look at Huang Feihu: "Will you help me or not?"

"That's natural. According to ancestral rites and laws, you, the Third Prince, are the most legitimate heir to the throne."

Huang Feihu was both surprised and delighted. "We've been waiting for this day for so long, but you, Third Prince, never seemed to have any interest in the throne before..."

"We didn't fight before because the Shang Dynasty was beset by internal and external troubles, with too many problems. Even my teacher and father couldn't do it, so what could I change?"

Then, Zi Shou's eyes flashed, and he exuded confidence: "And now... I think I can do it!"

P.S.: Sorry, I ate something bad yesterday and had a stomachache all afternoon, so it's even later now! I'll correct any mistakes after I wake up! Goodnight!

(End of this chapter)