Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 110 Dao and Fa, Song and Ming

The next day, Zhang Sanfeng sent someone to invite Zhou Ming to the mountain.

When Zhou Ming came, he had one purpose, which was to become a disciple.

But what he didn't expect was that the person he wanted to become his apprentice has now run away.

Zhang Sanfeng had been busy with trivial matters in the past few days and was completely overwhelmed. Now that all the things were over, he remembered this matter and invited Zhou Ming to the mountain.

"I suggest you take Lian Zhou as your master. How about that?"

Zhang Sanfeng asked with a smile.

In this world, before Zhang Sanfeng arrived, there were many people living in seclusion in Wudang Mountain. Later, these people, mainly Zhang Sanfeng's Sanfeng Sect, merged into Wudang Mountain.

However, different people follow different Taoist rules.

The Sanfeng sect actually does not prohibit marriage and does not have too many complicated rules, but other sects tie their hair and become monks, following various rules.

So what kind of rules Wudang should establish became a problem at that time.

After the final discussion, the result was... everyone plays their own game.

Wudang has disciples who become monks and those who do not. There are no requirements in any aspect. We just follow the personal opinions of the disciples.

But there is only one person, and that must be a Taoist monk.

That’s the Wudang leader!
This is to prevent the head of a family from suddenly falling in love and leaving Wudang Mountain to return to secular life, and also to avoid inheritance and disputes over power.

Therefore, the head of Wudang must be a monk.

However, when this rule came out, Zhang Sanfeng's eldest disciple Song Yuanqiao had already married and had children.

You can't let him abandon his wife and children, right?

Therefore, the second generation Wudang leader after Zhang Sanfeng fell to Yu Lianzhou.

At this moment, Zhang Sanfeng's proposal was actually to let Zhou Ming become the apprentice of the future Wudang leader, which could be said to be full respect.

Zhou Ming said, "Master, I have already sent a pigeon to my adoptive father regarding this matter. He replied that... the previous arrangements are null and void, and I do not need to join Wudang Mountain."

Zhang Sanfeng smiled and said, "It seems that my Wudang has become a hot potato now. Even your adoptive father doesn't dare to get close to it!"

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "I hope you will understand."

"Well, it seems that you and our Wudang are not destined to be together!"

Zhang Sanfeng said: "And the most suitable place for you is not Wudang. You should go to Qin State and learn the Taoist methods of Qin State. That is what suits you best."

"Ok?"

Zhou Ming was taken aback.

Zhang Sanfeng said, "In ancient times, there were gods living in the world, leaving behind descendants with their bloodline. With the power of their divine blood, they could cultivate the laws of heaven and earth and become witches and priests!"

Zhou Ming was shocked at first, but then he felt relieved.

The way of practicing is to imitate the heaven and earth and control the power of heaven and earth.

However, the path to the same destination is different. Although the path of martial arts is about self-cultivation in the early stages, in the later stages, it is also the same path.

Zhang Sanfeng is a grandmaster, so how could he not notice Zhou Ming's abnormality?

I'm afraid that on the day of the sermon, Zhang Sanfeng saw it clearly on the stage.

"It was only by luck that I embarked on this path."

"Hahaha, you actually admitted it directly? I thought you would be timid and pretend to hide it."

"How can I hide this from Master Zhang?"

"Hahaha……"

Zhang Sanfeng laughed a few times and walked slowly forward.

Zhou Ming followed behind him.

"The most important affairs of a state are warfare and sacrifice. The military refers to soldiers and horses, and the sacrifices refer to rituals. He who controls the military is the king, and he who controls the rituals is the shaman.

During the Shang Dynasty, the king and the shamans jointly ruled the world. At that time, the shamanic rituals were passed down in an orderly manner. However, with the fall of the Shang Dynasty, many shamanic rituals were also burned!

Zhang Sanfeng sighed, "What a pity... If you are lucky enough to have chosen this path, then I would really recommend you to go to Qin State to become a disciple!"

Or, you can try going to Sui State!"

Zhou Ming was puzzled: "Please explain clearly, Master."

Zhang Sanfeng said, "The path of the great Dao is different, but the destination is the same. The Martial Dao and the Shamanic Dao, though two different paths, can complement each other. In ancient times, Guangchengzi, the teacher of the Yellow Emperor, wrote a wonderful book that can integrate the two paths and allow for simultaneous practice!"

Zhou Ming suddenly understood: "Could it be that what the Immortal is talking about is the 'Eternal Life Secret'?"

"Not bad!"

Zhang Sanfeng nodded and said, "This book is an ancient and rare book that has been circulating in the martial arts world for a long time. It is said that it appeared in the Sui Dynasty in recent years. If you can find this book, it can be regarded as the most suitable method for your practice!"

Zhou Ming clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Zhang Sanfeng waved his hands quickly: "It's just a piece of information, not really any advice. It's not certain whether you can get it or not.

If you can't get it, then the Qin Daoist method is the most suitable for you."

"Why is this?"

"With the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the tradition of shamanic rituals was completely lost, but some fragments were collected by the Zhou royal family. Within the Zhou royal family's treasury, a sage perused the classics and, combining contemporary martial arts with the fragments of shamanic rituals, created a new school of martial arts!"

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "The sage the Taoist is referring to is probably Laozi, the founder of Taoism."

"Exactly!"

Zhang Sanfeng nodded: "Taoist martial arts, with martial arts true energy as its foundation and witchcraft rituals as its branches, can display extraordinary methods that ordinary warriors cannot even dream of.

If you can't find the secret of immortality, this Taoist method is the most suitable path of cultivation for you."

"I see!"

Zhou Ming clasped his fists and said, "Master, your words have really opened my eyes. They are like a bright lamp, illuminating the way forward. Everything is so clear now!"

"Haha, stop flattering me. Learn something good from your father and don't learn these bad things from the officialdom."

After bidding farewell to Zhang Sanfeng, Zhou Ming walked along the road, thinking to himself, "Taoist martial arts aren't difficult to learn. Once Xinghun and the others return, the mark will spread quickly. However, the secret of immortality? I wonder if it's been revealed yet..."

By the way, is there any Dragon Divine Art in the Jade Book that Yin Zhong left me? If so, I might as well just practice Dragon Divine Art instead of practicing the Art of Immortality.

Dragon God Art, that is the real invincible magic art.

It is the unique skill inherited by the Long family, descendants of the divine bloodline.

The reason why Yin Zhong was expelled from the Tong family was because he secretly learned the Dragon God Skill...

However, there is no realm requirement for practicing this technique.

If Yin Zhong had left this technique behind, it should have been included in the first few levels of the Jade Plate Heavenly Book.

"Meow~"

"what!"

The sudden appearance of a cat and a man in front of him interrupted Zhou Ming's thoughts.

The cat was a calico cat, and the man was Zhang Wuji.

The calico cat made a move, and Zhang Wuji actually followed suit.

It looks like Zhang Wuji is learning martial arts from this calico cat.

Although it is quite ridiculous, it is not surprising when you think that the cats in Wudang Mountain are capable of martial arts.

However, the martial arts that this cat learned should be the Tiger Claw, right?

Zhang Wuji is learning this at such a young age?

"Brother Zhou...Brother Zhou?"

Zhang Wuji also saw Zhou Ming and was startled and felt a little embarrassed.

"Wuji, where is Senior Brother Zhuo?"

"Over there... I'll take you there. Huahua, come here!"

"Meow~"

He called out, and the calico cat next to him climbed up his body and lay on Zhang Wuji's head in a few seconds.

Led by one man and one cat, Zhou Ming quickly found Zhuo Yihang.

"Brother Zhuo, I'm leaving soon. The things we discussed earlier haven't been finalized yet!" "The things before?" Zhuo Yihang slapped his forehead and then remembered: "Catching kittens, right? Easy. Come on, I'll take you to find Uncle Yu."

In the end, Zhou Ming caught two kittens at Yu Daying's house.

A calico cat, said to be the descendant of the calico cat that learned the complete set of tiger claw techniques.

A black cat with red fur, it is the legendary "black cat".

Two days later.

In front of the deserted town, Zhou Ming looked back at Wudang Mountain for the last time, then drove his horse forward.

As soon as he entered the carriage.

"Mo Chou, why are you here?"

"Of course I stayed here secretly. Why? You don't welcome me?"

"Welcome, welcome...but next time we meet, I'm afraid my mother-in-law will scold me badly."

"I'm kidding! I got my mother-in-law's permission!"

................................................

Zhou Ming can be said to be one of the last people to leave Wudang Mountain.

Before him, masters from all over the world and from all schools and sects left Wudang Mountain directly after attending the funeral.

As they left, what happened in front of Wudang Mountain spread throughout the world and became a major event that shocked the whole country.

What countless people are most concerned about is naturally the magic medicine that can rejuvenate people.

The three words "Huangliangdan" then resounded throughout the world.

The question of whether Master Zhang has reached the legendary celestial realm has also become a focus of discussion.

Regardless of other countries, people within our country generally believe that this is true.

Who is the peak at the end of martial arts?
Once you see Tai Chi, it becomes empty!

These two sentences spread like wildfire and became popular all over the world, further proving the value of Zhou Ming, the king of dirty talk.

I just heard that when Zhang Sanfeng heard these two sentences, he was so angry that he smashed a table on the spot.

He even called Song Qingshu and Zhuo Yihang to his presence and scolded them harshly.

"I'm a hundred years old, an age to overcome all obstacles. He's twenty, an age to create all those obstacles for me, right?! Where's that kid Zhou Ming? Call him up here!"

"Master, Junior Brother Zhou left a long time ago."

"You still call me Junior Brother? What do you mean by Junior Brother? There is no such disciple in Wudang Mountain!"

Zhang Sanfeng was filled with rage, so he left Wudang Mountain and rushed to the Yuan Dynasty.

On the way, they destroyed two mountain strongholds and three bandit gangs.

Along the way, gods and ghosts were terrified.

No matter whether it is the Black Tiger Hall, the Black Wood Cliff, or any other sect, they all hide in their hideouts and dare not make any moves.

When they arrived at the border, the magician Pang Ban had been waiting for a long time with ten boxes of gold and silver and five boxes of Taoist scriptures given by Emperor Yuan.

Zhang Sanfeng first accepted the gift, and then started fighting.

Before the agreed time of one month arrived and no one reached the Magician's Palace, the war broke out prematurely at the border.

Pang Ban was no match for Zhang Sanfeng at all. Fortunately, a mysterious man came to his rescue and fought with Zhang Sanfeng.

The two fought back and forth, and the battle reached the sky, even the white clouds were wiped out.

Naturally, all countries are paying close attention to this battle.

It is not only because it concerns the Ming and Yuan countries, the most important thing is whether Zhang Sanfeng has reached the realm of heaven and man. This is what all countries really care about!

Unfortunately, the people they sent were not strong enough and could not see the battle situation clearly.

Only at the end did we see that the mysterious man was in a rather disheveled state, while Zhang Sanfeng was neatly dressed.

The outcome of the match is obvious.

A few days later, the magician Pang Ban released the news that Zhang Sanfeng had not reached the realm of heaven and man, but was only at the second level of grandmaster, the realm of martial minister!

When this news came out, countless people breathed a sigh of relief.

And just as Zhou Ming speculated, whether Zhang Sanfeng wins or loses, the Yuan Dynasty will take action.

Now that he has won and the Yuan Dynasty has lost face, he should take revenge.

State of Song.

Kaifeng Mansion.

The Song Emperor laughed heartily, threw down a letter, and said, "The Ming Kingdom has incurred public wrath this time. The Yuan Emperor has sent letters to all the other kingdoms, inviting me and the Jin Kingdom to join forces to attack the Ming Kingdom!"

The ministers below couldn't help but look at each other when they heard this.

One of the ministers asked, "Your Majesty, do you intend to accept the Yuan Emperor's invitation and join forces to attack the Ming Kingdom?"

Emperor Song said, "That's right!"

"No! Never!"

Among the ministers, a minister with a black face shouted loudly, it was Bao Zheng, the prefect of Kaifeng.

Bao Zheng said: "Your Majesty! The Yuan, Jin, Liao, Qing and others are all foreign countries and are not tolerated by the Central Plains. However, our Song State and the Ming State are also Central Plains countries, and we have also been allies for nearly a hundred years!

Your Majesty, you must never betray your allies and ally with foreigners!"

"Huh! Allies?!"

The Song Emperor snorted coldly and shouted, "Does the Ming Kingdom still consider us allies? The letter I sent when I ascended the throne was filled with sarcasm!"

This involves an old story.

At the time, the Ming and Song dynasties fought against foreign invaders and were allies. However, Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, died in middle age and was succeeded by his younger brother, a fate rumored to be the result of a conspiracy.

The key point is that after Zhao Kuangyin's death, the Ming Dynasty could only advance in alliance with his brother.

No matter what, Zhao Kuangyin was indeed a great military talent.

And his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi...the name of the Gaoliang River Chariot God is known throughout the world.

This resulted in many foreign races, which should have been a joint resistance between the two countries, becoming the main force of the Ming Dynasty, while the Song Dynasty lagged behind.

In the years since, neither country has regained much territory.

Therefore, Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang angrily scolded Zhao Kuangyi for being useless. Zhao Kuangyi endured it for many years and scolded back after Zhu Di seized the throne.

Zhu Di was not someone to be trifled with, so he cursed back.

This resulted in the two countries remaining allies militarily, but their relations in other areas deteriorated sharply.

When the Song Emperor ascended the throne, the Ming Kingdom naturally sent a letter. The letter was extremely cleverly worded, and if you understand it in a positive way, it would naturally be a celebration.

But if you interpret it in a bad way, you can also see that the other person is cursing.

When the current young emperor of the Ming Dynasty ascended the throne, the Song Emperor responded in the same way.

By now, this has become a mess and no one can tell who is responsible.

Bao Zheng said: "The original letter was misinterpreted by a villain and was not the original intention. Your Majesty must not be deceived by it. Moreover, Ming and Song have never fought each other. If Song were to take the initiative and violate the alliance, it would be condemned by the world.

And forming an alliance with other ethnic groups and targeting fellow ethnic groups in the Central Plains is even more despised by people all over the world.

I hope Your Majesty will understand this!"

"A clear lesson? Sending troops in response is a clear lesson!"

The Song Emperor snorted coldly, "I will avenge this humiliation! You often say that if the master humiliates the minister, he will die. Today I want to wash away this shame. How can you object?"

Humph! Withdraw from the court!"

Over the next two days, many ministers continued to advise the Emperor, but he insisted on sending troops to the Ming Kingdom and was about to deploy them.

After leaving court again, all the ministers looked worried.

"The Emperor insists on having his own way. What should we do now?"

"Master Bao, you are usually the most resourceful. Can you give us some advice?"

Bao Zheng pondered for a moment, his eyes gradually becoming firm, and he said: "This war must not be started, let alone sending troops to attack the Ming Dynasty. Since the emperor is stubborn... then we can only ask them to come forward!"

(End of this chapter)