Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 107 Yin-Yang Mystic Art: Kanli Sword Qi! (Thanks to the Alliance Leader Poyunzhiguang!)
The people in the Lu household gaped in disbelief, never expecting such a turn of events.

Lu Wenrui, who led Zhou Yi over, was even more surprised. He hurriedly came up and patted Lu Zushang on the back.

"Da Shang, is this the benefactor you've been looking for?"

"Uncle, that's right!"

Lu Zushang's voice was excited. Zhou Yi didn't understand why, but went forward to help him up.

I had heard from the Kun Gang that this chivalrous man from Yiyang was generous with his wealth, helping the weak and needy, and was very righteous. He was also a descendant of the Lu family of Fanyang and had a very good reputation in the area.

Once the imperial edict for the three campaigns against Goguryeo was issued, bandits and rebel armies in the Gushi and Dingcheng areas stirred up chaos in Yiyang.

It was this man who gathered brave and chivalrous men to quell the chaos.

He also defended against the great bandits of Runan on the south bank of the Huai River, thus ensuring the peace of Yiyang County.

If he wanted to be the top leader of Yiyang, it would be a piece of cake.

"Master Lu, please rise. I am new to this place, so you must explain yourself clearly. Also, what is the story behind your master?"

Lu Zushang, still not calm, grabbed Zhou Yi's arm and shook it up and down.

"My master's illness is beyond cure. Looking across the Central Plains, the only way to save his life is through the extraordinary Yin-Yang arts of a true master."

Where is your master now?

“It was originally in Qingsong Temple, but that place was too desolate, so I moved it to the backyard of my house.”

He gestured towards the inner palace, his eyes anxiously fixed on Zhou Yi's face.

I only regret that my attitude was bad just now, and I was afraid that he would get angry and turn around and leave, which would truly leave me with regrets for the rest of my life.

He still hadn't made himself clear, but seeing his agitated and flustered state, Zhou Yi didn't expect him to sort out his thoughts now.

"Let's go and see how your master is doing."

"If you find out that he has crossed the Bridge of Helplessness, no matter how powerful I am, I will not be able to bring him back."

Lu Zushang was pleased that he didn't hold his earlier offense against him, but he was also worried about his master, who had been so kind to him. He nodded repeatedly with a complicated expression.

He followed the rumors circulating in the martial arts world and offered a random prayer:
"I only hope that King Yama will give the real man some face."

Zhou Yi exhaled, did not answer, and followed Lu Zushang's disordered steps toward the inner courtyard.

Lu Wenrui, who was traveling with them, heard their conversation clearly and was now feeling very uneasy.

Listen to what Da Shang means.
My benefactor is no ordinary martial artist, but rather someone like a celestial being or a divine nun, who can even communicate with the underworld.
This...this...this is outrageous!
My heart was in turmoil; I never imagined that I would be saved by someone like this.

Such good fortune deserves a memorial tablet when you return home.

Both uncle and nephew were in turmoil.

After passing through several long corridors in the deep courtyard, one finally enters the place where Master Lu Zushang resides.

There were many people in the courtyard, and several doctors sat in the pavilion, shaking their heads and sighing.

As soon as Lu Zushang arrived, eight or nine people surrounded him, all of whom appeared to be martial artists. Their gazes passed over Lu Zushang and turned to Zhou Yi.

"Brother Lu, who is this gentleman?"

"It is none other than Master Yi of Wuzhuang Temple!"

Lu Zushang waved his hand as he introduced the topic.

The crowd was both surprised and delighted to hear this. They had been offering advice to Lu Zushang, and it was two of them who suggested that he go to Nanyang.

Although he is young, his reputation has already spread from Nanyang.

Everyone here is a wanderer of the martial arts world, and they are quite interested in these matters. After some inquiry, they gained a great deal of insight. At this point, no one would underestimate someone just because of a young face.

They all stepped forward, raised their sleeves, and clasped their hands in greeting: "Abbot!"

I greeted him warmly, wanting to get to know this extraordinary person from Nanyang even more.

Before Zhou Yi could respond, Lu Zushang waved his hands repeatedly to both sides, signaling the crowd to disperse.

"Put your hearts away for now, and we'll meet later. The King of Hell waits for no one. Let the Master check on my master's condition first."

"That's right, everyone make way."

"Master Songyinzi is on the verge of death, and has been unconscious for a long time. It is clear that his soul has not returned to his body. Please, Master, find a way to save him."

The doctors who had been shaking their heads and sighing all stood up, as if a great master had arrived, and they also gathered around.

Before even entering the room, I could smell a medicinal odor. All the windows were open, and the room was very bright.

An old Taoist priest lay supine on the bed, his Taoist bun hanging loosely, his eyes closed, and deep brown wrinkles at the corners of his eyes spreading like withered vines.

He was Lu Zushang's master, Songyinzi.

Through the strong smell of medicine, Zhou Yi keenly sensed a familiar aura.

Go forward and take a look:
"How long has your master been unconscious?"

"It's been seven or eight days."

Lu Zushang said, "When Master returned from the direction of Jiangdu, he was still conscious at first and could heal himself. It seemed that he was gradually getting better. But one day, his energy was greatly depleted. After two or three days, he fell into a coma."

"He never woke up again, and he has remained so ever since."

"Moreover, his pulse is getting weaker day by day. If this continues, I'm afraid that in a few more days, Master will lose his power and pass away."

Although he was worried, he did not shy away from talking about life and death.

Zhou Yi responded softly and stepped forward, placing a finger on the old Taoist priest's Tanzhong acupoint.

To his surprise
The trace of demonic energy I sensed was not here.

Has Old Zhou made progress again?

Judging by the timing, it doesn't seem like it, after all, he just exchanged palm strikes with Old Man Zhou near Liuhe.

Even if Old Master Zhou had some new insights, it wouldn't be enough to change the core of the Life and Death Aperture all at once.

But
There's no doubt that this demonic aura is within the old Taoist priest's body.

As expected, to be on the safe side, after helping Song Yinzi up, we first protected his heart meridian with our true energy before searching for the source of the demonic energy.

Compared to Zhou Laotan's unbridled and domineering demonic aura, the demonic aura within the old Taoist priest can be described as cunning and ruthless.

but
No matter how varied the methods, they all boil down to the same principle: planting demons within the Daoist mind.

Zhou Yi controlled his inner energy and slowly explored the acupoints.

Lu Zushang and the others dared not breathe and watched quietly.

At a certain moment.
Master Songyinzi, who was sitting, suddenly opened his eyes.

Everyone was secretly alarmed when they suddenly saw his white hair stand on end, and a strong gust of wind swept outwards from Zhou Yisong Yinzi as the center!

The table next to the bed was completely overturned, and the various medicinal herbs, medicine utensils, and teacups on the table smashed through the window paper.

Apart from Lu Zushang, everyone else nearby leaned back and retreated.

Lu Wenrui, who was standing at the back, fell backward face-first, just like the two doctors.

Exclamations arose from all around, then the sounds subsided. Those with weak internal strength all raised their hands to cover their faces and block the strong wind!

On the bed, Song Yinzi's beard and eyebrows flew diagonally to his cheeks.

Their clothes fluttered, and bursts of energy continuously erupted from them!

suddenly
Lu Zushang shouted three times in a low voice: "Retreat, retreat, retreat!"

Those around him moved at the sound, and a chilling aura mixed with demonic energy, like a cold wind blowing from the underworld.

The gust of wind wasn't very strong.

Yet it affects people's spirits, seemingly making everyone's soul tremble.

Those with weak internal strength and a weak will, especially, would hear ghostly wails and eerie, sinister laughter the moment the cold wind struck.

It is unknown what kind of strange method it is, but it has awakened and manifested the fear deep in people's hearts.

The more you think about it, the clearer it becomes.

For example, Lu Wenrui, who was momentarily caught in a hallucination, saw the young man in white shaking black chains, binding the soul of the Taoist priest Songyinzi, and pulling him back from the other side of the gates of hell.

The terrifying scene inside the Gates of Hell matched the scenes he used to imagine, instantly making Lu Wenrui sweat profusely from head to toe.

So this is what it means to communicate between Yin and Yang—a truly terrifying sight.

For the next period of time, he was sure he wouldn't dare to walk at night.

Lu Zushang was the second best fighter in Yiyang County, and his spirit and energy naturally far surpassed those of the other spectators.

He was also taken aback by the scene.

I felt that my previous understanding of the martial arts world was rather narrow.

The water spilled on the ground after the table was overturned has frozen into ice under this cold wind. The ice melts quickly, emitting a white mist, and within the mist, specks of black smoke shimmer.

Even he found the scene terrifying.

The room was filled with steam, and Master Yi switched his right hand to his left, pressing down on the old Taoist's back.

Then another burst of energy shot out, pressing down all the mist so that it couldn't lift its head and crawled out of the house close to the ground.

He changed his palm into fingers and moved them up his back to the top of his head.

Matsukiko's cloudy eyes gradually cleared, and she closed them on her own.

Zhou Yi's true energy swirled around the old Taoist's crown chakra.

This demonic energy was quite unusual. Although it was not as powerful and intense as Old Zhou's demonic aura, it contained a force that could disturb people's minds.

Like Sabulokan?

In order to eliminate the root of the evil, the demonic root in the old Taoist's crown chakra was absorbed into Zhou Yi's body and returned to his own crown chakra.

After careful probing, it was discovered that it had become completely docile.

He then withdrew his power and got off the bed.

Lu Zushang's face lit up with joy as he discovered that although his master had his eyes closed, he was already meditating and practicing his internal energy on the bed.

With his skill, he should be fine after regaining consciousness.

"Master, how is my master?"

He still asked the question, just to put his mind at ease.

"The hidden danger has been eliminated, and after some time of recuperation, everything will be fine."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zushang bowed deeply and said, "Thank you very much, Master. This kindness is too profound to express in words. Please allow me to repay you slowly."

“Master Songyinzi is also a friend of my Taoist community. Considering this friendship, I should do my part.”

No one could agree with Zhou Yi's humble words.

A bearded man sighed, "The master's skills have truly broadened our horizons. Even the three grandmasters have never touched upon this Yin-Yang magic."

"Yeah yeah."

"In the world of martial arts, there is fighting and killing. Killing is an art, but saving lives is an even greater art."

Someone echoed, "No matter how high Ning Sanren's martial arts are, he can't pull a person back from the underworld like a real person."

"..."

To allow his master to meditate in peace, Lu Zushang beckoned everyone to leave.

Zhou Yi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

If they keep bragging like this, Ning Sanren might lose his title as the number one person in the Daoist sect.

"Master Lu, could you please give the Giant Kun Gang a chance to clear up the misunderstanding?"

Lu Zushang walked out of the courtyard with him, and upon hearing this, gave a wry smile: "How dare I?"

"Even if it wasn't a misunderstanding, with Master Yi's words, I would never cause trouble for the Giant Kun Gang again."

"I never do anything out of gratitude; I always follow the rules."

Zhou Yi suggested, "Let's make things clear face to face. If it really is the Giant Kun Gang's fault, then it's only natural for Master Lu to cause them trouble."

"Ok."

Hearing his tone, Lu Zushang had no choice but to agree.

While Song Yinzi was healing her injuries, Zhou Yi saw Lu Wenrui out the door, but he felt that the other man was preoccupied with something and looked at him strangely.

Lu Zushang thanked his uncle and sent someone to see him off. He then invited Zhou Yi to sit in the main hall of his mansion, and some friends from Yiyang County also came after hearing the news.

Soon.
The Giant Kun Gang has arrived.

The burly man in brocade robes who led the group, with a scar on his left cheek, was none other than Bu Tianzhi.

Kun's men had already told him that "the Celestial Master has arrived."

Looking towards the head of the living room, Bu Tianzhi felt much more at ease. He had no intention of causing any conflict with Lu Zushang on the upper reaches of the Huai River.

"Guanzhu."

This deputy leader of the Kun Gang is a formidable figure, and there are many rumors about him on the Yangtze River. But now that he has arrived, it feels like we should first pay our respects to the sect.

but,

For those who had witnessed the methods used to treat Song Yinzi, Chief Bu's attitude was perfectly normal.

Zhou Yi had barely uttered a sound when Lu Zushang stood up abruptly:
"Chief Bu is incredibly powerful; he even managed to invite Master Yi here."

“My master is out of danger, and there’s no need to bring up our misunderstanding anymore.”

Bu Tianzhi replied, "Our gang's leader sells information. Without credibility, it's impossible to last long. Any information that comes out of our hands is guaranteed to be true."

"Besides, we have no grudge against Master Songyinzi, so why would we deliberately spread false information to harm him?"

"What Chief Bu said makes sense."

Lu Zushang nodded: "But my master's misfortune is indeed related to the news you have spread."

"It's too much of a coincidence that he not only failed to find the stone dragon in Anyi, but also entered the demon's lair."

Bu Tianzhi said, "We only gave Master Songyinzi a general location. Shilong is a living person, he can move, and besides, there are quite a few people tracking his whereabouts."

"The Taoist priest and Shi Long are friends, and he wanted to help him. It was just a coincidence that he encountered the people from the Demonic Sect. It was definitely not a deliberate scheme by my gang."

"Although our two families had a conflict at the Jueshui Ferry, we would never do something so self-destructive."

Lu Zushang had already put the matter aside in his mind. If it really was the work of the Giant Kun Gang, why would he need to invite the Master of Wuzhuang Temple to come?

This alone will likely come at a considerable cost.

After all, this abbot is not someone that just anyone can invite.

When his master suffered a disaster, he was filled with anger and resentment. Considering the old grudges between them, he naturally vented his anger on the Giant Kun Gang.

With everyone present, Lu Zushang was able to accept the situation with composure and let it go.

After hearing Bu Tianzhi's words, he immediately ordered someone to serve him tea.

"This matter was Lu's recklessness. Please forgive me, Chief Bu. I am also grateful for your kindness in inviting the True Immortal to descend upon my humble abode."

He glanced at Zhou Yi as he spoke.

The general meaning is probably: Abbot, you see? This is all to give you face.

Bu Tianzhi naturally wouldn't presume to agree.

He waved his hand repeatedly and said a couple of polite words.

They exchanged smiles, clearing up the misunderstanding and making everyone look presentable.

Before long, Lu Zushang heard from a guard in the mansion that the Daoist Songyinzi had woken up from his meditation and was calling him.

Lu Zushang apologized and took his leave, then hurried off.

His friends in Yiyang County all went with him.

Zhou Yi and Bu Tianzhi walked together into the courtyard outside the hall.

"Is Lu Zushang that important? Why are you even wasting your time here?"

"actually."

Bu Tianzhi whispered, "This person is even more important to the Celestial Master."

"Oh?"

“Starting from Tongbai Ferry in Huai’an County, the Huai River flows through Runan and Ruyin, and then to Shouchun in Huainan.”

“Lu Zushang wielded enormous influence in the upper reaches of the Huai River.”

Bu Tianzhi succinctly stated: "South of the Huai River are the two prefectures of Yiyang and Yiyang. Lu Zushang is known for his chivalrous spirit in this area. It can be said that he is the leader of these two prefectures."

"This person was frail and sickly in his childhood. He was saved from dying young after practicing martial arts under his master, Song Yinzi, which is why he has achieved what he has today. His personality was influenced by Taoism, and he acts in a bold and unrestrained manner."

"Therefore, he disliked being called Dragon Head and called himself the First Hero of the Lu Clan of Fanyang."

"These two prefectures are not large, but they are united in heart and mind, preventing bandits and foreign enemies from invading. The martial arts practitioners and major gangs in the prefectures all regard him as their leader."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi gained an even deeper impression of Lu Zushang.

Bu Tianzhi smiled and said, "Lu Zushang has never been able to repay the debt of gratitude he owes this time."

"If the bandits in Runan were wiped out by the Sui army, Yiyang would be able to influence the north bank of the Huai River from the south bank. With this connection, it would be equivalent to the Celestial Master controlling the upper reaches of the Huai River."

This is indeed good news.

"Who are the bandits of Runan?" Zhou Yi had been staying near Jiangdu for a while, so the information was somewhat delayed.

The world changes every few days these days.

"Most of them were subordinates of the Four Great Bandits, as well as scattered rebel forces from Lujiang and Ruyin counties, who were integrated together."

"Some time ago, the Yicang granary in Huai'an Prefecture was successfully defended, but the Rufeng granary in Runan was breached by bandits, and a large amount of rice was taken away by them. They transported it down the Huai River to Xuyi, where they joined Meng Rang."

Zhou Yi combined the information from both sides and understood: "Meng Rang is currently engaged in a major battle with Lai Zheng in Xuyi, so rice and grain are useful to him."

"That's right, this rice can fetch a high price."

Bu Tianzhi said, "However, Meng Rang was manipulated by others."

"I have heard the latest rumors that Li Zitong has joined Meng Rang's army, and the two forces are joining forces to fight against the Sui army."

"However, Bai Xin, one of Li Zitong's generals, has appeared in Runan and is colluding with the bandits."

"In other words, Li Zitong is cooperating with Meng Rang while making money from him. If Meng Rang comes to me to buy information, I can sell him this information for at least three hundred gold coins."

Did Li Zitong and Meng Rang get involved because they were turned away by Du Fu?
However, what Li Zitong did did fit Zhou Yi's stereotype of him.

How do you know so much about what's happening in Runan?

Bu Tianzhi said with a regretful look, "I was trading information between the two sides of the Huai River. If it weren't for Lu Zushang delaying me, I would still be making a lot of money in Runan right now."

"The Celestial Master should know that the Dugu family's daughter was previously handling business in Runan, and I also need to take care of those families' businesses while I'm at it."

"You're already too busy to handle everything, where's your leader, Yun?"

Bu Tianzhi shrugged helplessly: "The gang leader was also in Runan a while ago, but she didn't stay. She and Dugu Ce traveled down the Ying River from Dongdu, preparing to go to Danyang."

"This young master of the Dugu family is extremely arrogant."

"If I hadn't met the Celestial Master, it would have been fine, but after meeting him, I just felt that Young Master Dugu was no longer worthy of my attention."

Zhou Yi patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "There's more to a person from a prominent family than meets the eye. Perhaps you, Lao Bu, haven't seen their inner brilliance."

Bu Tianzhi was very honest: "There's no one else here, so the Celestial Master doesn't need to give him face. We can save the nice words for when we meet the old lady of the Dugu family."

That's really pretty bad.

This young master Dugu could withstand two moves from Old Du without taking any damage, but he dared not make a third move.

I chatted with Bu Tianzhi for a few more minutes.

Much of the news was related to Runan, and combined with the situation in the upper reaches of the Huai River, it gave Zhou Yi a lot to think about.

“Master, my master has come to thank you.”

Lu Zushang rushed over in a flurry, and Zhou Yi, having already heard his footsteps, stepped forward to meet him.

The old Taoist priest possessed profound skills. After shaking off the evil spirits and circulating his qi and blood, he was able to walk again.

"I have met Master Yi."

A hint of color returned to Songyinzi's aged face, indicating that he had recovered.

Zhou Yi glanced at his complexion: "Fellow Daoist, you seem to be lacking in energy. Why not rest a little longer?"

"The old Taoist was able to survive entirely thanks to the extraordinary skills of the True Man."

Song Yinzi's old eyes were fixed on Zhou Yi's face: "This time, he was plotted against and almost lost his life, but he turned misfortune into blessing and met such an extraordinary person as the real person."

Zhou Yi smiled and followed Lu Zushang into a quiet room with the old Taoist priest.

It's clear that this was arranged by them, and the others did not come along.

"Who injured you, fellow Daoist?"

Zhou Yi was very concerned about this issue, but the old Taoist priest just shook his head.

"I was fighting two members of the Demonic Sect and didn't see his face. He was extremely fast and injured me with a single palm strike before turning and leaving."

"At that time, I suppressed my injuries and got rid of the two people I had fought before."

"Since there is no definite news about Fellow Daoist Shilong and I am injured, I thought I would wait until I recovered before going to find him."

"Having just returned to Guangshan, I don't feel that my injuries are serious, but there is a strange kind of true energy in my body that is difficult to remove."

"Suddenly one day, while meditating, a demon arose in my mind and I felt an itch on the top of my head. This strange true energy entered my Baihui acupoint and was difficult to remove."

"After that, I fell into a deep sleep and nightmare, and my spirit became weaker and weaker until a real person came and woke me up."

Thinking of these nightmarish days, Matsuhiko stroked his beard and sighed deeply.

Zhou Yi thought about the four disciples of the Evil Emperor, but felt that something didn't add up.

"Were the two people who fought with you the same group as him?" "Absolutely not."

"Otherwise, after his sneak attack, he could simply press his advantage and all three of them could attack at once, and I would have no chance of survival."

The two then discussed the martial arts they used.

Those two members of the Demonic Sect might be subordinates of Old Zhou.

The last person, however, had no idea where he came from.

Zhou Yi then told him the news that Shi Long had escaped, and a smile finally appeared on Song Yinzi's tired face.

Calming his mind, he thought of Zhou Yi's extraordinary skills and couldn't help but ask about his lineage.

"I wonder which classic the master inherited from."

"The Huang-Lao school of thought studies the Laozi Xiang'er Commentary."

Zhou Yi politely asked, "What classic texts does Fellow Daoist Song study?"

Song Yinzi paused slightly, and what he said was somewhat off-topic.

"The teachings of Huang-Lao are indeed wondrous. You may not have heard of my lineage. My lineage comes from the Northern Wei Dynasty, and my patriarch was Yin Tong."

"Yin Tong?"

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up: "Is it Louguan Dao?"

Song Yinzi never expected that he would answer so readily without hesitation, which showed that he had a deep understanding of the subject.

"This is considered a branch of the Louguan Daoist sect. Does the Master know the details?"

Lu Zushang, who was sitting to the side, did not speak, because he felt inferior to the abbot of Wuzhuang Temple because his master was communicating with him in this way.

At least in this room, he's not of the right generation.

It is inappropriate for a layman to interrupt when the two abbots are expounding their teachings.

However, he also looked at Zhou Yi with curiosity.

No matter how miraculous this abbot is, it's impossible for him to explain their entire lineage all at once.

Zhou Yi pondered for a few moments:

"It is said that Yin Tong was a descendant of Yin Gui and entered the Louguan Dao before he turned thirty. In the early years of Emperor Taiwu's reign, he studied under Ma Jian and served diligently for many years. He was then given the secret teachings of the True Man, written in jade and gold. After that, he cultivated and took elixirs, and in the Taihe era, he ascended to heaven and shattered the void."

The master and apprentice were both stunned, feeling as if their underwear had been seen through.

Zhou Yi recited again: "The characteristics of the Dao are emptiness, inaction, formlessness, and without appearance."

Song Yinzi recognized the familiarity in the voice and took a breath: "Could this be the True Scripture of the Beginning of Literature?"

"Exactly."

“I have read the Supreme and Wonderful Dao Text of True Beginning written by Guan Yinzi. Fellow Daoist Song should be very familiar with it.”

How could one not be familiar with him? He was one of the Ten Great Heroes of the Pre-Qin Period and the founder of the Louguan School.

If the patriarch of Songyinzi, Yin Tong, were here, one would have to call Guan Yinzi "Grandpa Patriarch" upon hearing his name.

"I see."

The old Taoist priest took a sip of tea to calm his nerves.

"The True Man is erudite in Taoism, even having some knowledge of my Louguan Taoist Ancestor Yun."

"but."

He changed the subject, a slight smile appearing on his aged and weary face: "The classics I study are beyond the comprehension of even the most discerning person."

Zhou Yiming realized: "It seems to have been created by Patriarch Yin Tong."

"It is an original work, but it also draws on Louguan classics such as Wenshi and Basu, and is called Louguan Lingjian Secret Studies."

Song Yinzi said, "Back then, there was an ancient Taoism that gave rise to the True Transmission Tao, which further evolved into the 'Laojun Temple' and the 'True Transmission of the Taoist Ancestor.' You probably know that these two schools belong to the six paths of the demonic sects."

"Because they advocated the practice of sexual intercourse between men and women, they were rejected by orthodox Taoism."

“My ancestor was related to the ancestor of the Daoist lineage, but because of their different interpretations of the scriptures, they held different esteems. However, the martial arts derived from the classics do share some similarities.”

Zhou Yi was very interested: "I wonder what kind of martial art it is?"

"Kan Water Qi Gang, Li Fire Sword Technique." Song Yinzi stroked his long beard.

Zhou Yi thought of Zuo Youxian's martial arts and asked, "Sword Qi flowing together?"

Song Yinzi's white eyebrows twitched slightly:
"It seems that the abbot has a deep understanding of the true teachings. He has mastered these two secret techniques to a high level, so that they can be combined, which is why there is such a powerful sword aura flowing together."

"However, my family follows the orthodox tradition and does not need to use the true methods of 'replenishing the body'."

"The strength of the sword energy depends solely on the cultivation of orthodox Taoist profound techniques."

Zhou Yi sensed something was wrong, but he had only asked casually.

Who can explain their own kung fu to outsiders so clearly?
The old Taoist priest dispelled his doubts: "Are you interested in my family's martial arts, Master?"

"This"

Zhou Yi couldn't lie and say, "I'm obsessed with martial arts and I practice swordsmanship. How could I not be interested in advanced swordsmanship?"

"But the teachings are strictly passed down and are never lightly taught. I dare not peek into the secrets of other schools, and it is not something I would do to take advantage of someone's kindness."

"It's alright, as long as the real person is interested."

Song Yinzi said, "I wish to exchange this swordsmanship for something from the Master."

"What?"

"Louguan is my ancestral home, but I have one request: do not make a copy."

Zhou Yi said, "But a rare copy may not be complete."

Matsuhiko didn't care at all: "That doesn't matter."

Zhou Yi asked in confusion, "Fellow Daoist Song, why is that? Do you intend to rely on your ancestral home to deeply study martial arts?"

“I am not obsessed with this. When Fellow Daoist Shilong invited me to Jiangdu to learn the Longevity Formula, I was not obsessed with it.”

The old Taoist priest said calmly, “My family’s lineage is somewhat unorthodox. My master was frustrated when he was discussing Taoism with someone, and he was troubled by this.”

“Not everyone can articulate the sect’s lineage like a real person. In this respect, even Brother Ning is not as good as you. When I met Brother Ning back then, he pondered for quite a while.”

"Therefore, I wish to make up for the regrets left by my master; it's a kind of obsession."

Zhou Yi understood.

This is not only a regret and an obsession, but also a factor affecting his state of mind.

From Song Yinzi's perspective, he didn't lose out.

Zhou Yi felt he had made a huge profit.

unfortunately,

Many of the ancient books left by Master Jiao Wuzi were copied, and this Wen Shi Zhi Jing is a copy.

Just as I was feeling frustrated and regretful, a sudden inspiration struck me.

At that time, a bamboo scroll was found in the tomb of the Great Emperor.

The little phoenix then brought out the bamboo slips, which were very ancient and contained the Wen Shi Zhen Jing. Emperor Ding had his eye on the true teachings of the Dao, so he studied the Louguan School's classics.

Little Phoenix diligently holds the Way.
Ding, the great philanthropist, is truly a man who brings tears to one's eyes.

Zhou Yi was filled with gratitude and said to Song Yinzi, "My family has a bamboo scroll that is extremely ancient and its age is hard to trace, but it records the essentials of the beginning of literature."

Song Yinzi's eyes lit up. "Would the real person be willing to make an exchange?"

"As long as Fellow Daoist Song doesn't feel like he's at a disadvantage, that's fine."

"I didn't lose out; I should thank the real person for fulfilling my wish."

The two men each held a teacup and greeted each other with respect.

Watching from the side, Lu Zushang felt not only double gratitude towards Zhou Yi, but also a sense of identification.

There was even a hint of respect from the younger generation for their elders.

There is a distance between him and his master in their usual interactions.

But this person, who was on equal footing with his master, seemed to be firmly in control when discussing the Dao.

In terms of lineage, it is indeed inferior to the other party's profound foundation.

It's especially surprising that he also has ancestral roots in Louguan Taoism.

The two chatted for a while longer, finding themselves very compatible.

"Would the True Immortal be willing to visit my humble Qingsong Temple, so that I may extend my courtesy to you, fellow Daoist?"

"I'm just worried that Fellow Daoist Song might be mentally exhausted."

"I am a little weak, but I will be fine as long as I don't fight with anyone."

The old Taoist priest had the protection of Xuanmen internal energy, which gave him a confident air.

Lu Zushang became anxious and asked, "Master, now that you and the True Man are gone, how will my household hold a banquet?"

"Besides, it's getting late."

"There's no need to be so ostentatious."

Song Yinzi said, "Master, you can rest in my temple for a few days. Just have someone send you food and drink. After I have entertained you, I will invite your most important friends to my residence."

"Then I will have the energy to thank them for their hard work these past few days."

With his master having made all the arrangements, Lu Zushang had nothing more to say.

After exchanging a few words with Bu Tianzhi, Zhou Yi bid farewell to Lu Zushang and headed towards the Taoist temple with Song Yinzi.

His small temple was rather remote. By the time they entered the southern suburbs of Guangshan, the sun was already low in the west, sinking into the forest.

In a mountain hollow, Zhou Yi spotted a Taoist temple.

Ancient pines stand all around, each with trunks so thick they require an embrace, their branches intertwined, blocking out the sun and clouds, allowing only glimpses of the sunset glow.

Although it was remote, the old Taoist priest knew how to choose a location.

Zhou Yi approached and examined the gate made of bamboo fence. Above it hung a wooden plaque with peeling paint, bearing the three characters "Qingsong Temple".

"How is my calligraphy?"

Zhou Yi noticed that the last stroke of the character "松" (pine) was vigorous, as if a sword-like aura was lurking within it.

"it is good."

"Among the Taoist friends I have met from other schools, Fellow Taoist Song's calligraphy ranks among the top two."

Zhou Yi also saw a fellow Daoist writing on the lintel; that was the Crow Daoist.

So, it's just the two of them.

Having witnessed Zhou Yi's extraordinary abilities, the old Taoist priest assumed he had Taoist friends all over the world. Upon hearing this praise, he felt a little proud.

After entering, he was led into a small hall.

He did nothing else, went into the room and took out an ancient book, a blank book, and some writing materials.

This is to have him copy it down.

Zhou Yi naturally had no objections to such a good thing.

"Fellow Daoist, see for yourself."

After he finished speaking, he smiled slightly and went to sit down and meditate.

Zhou Yi opened the "Secret Teachings of Louguan Lingjian," the first part of which was about the essence of meditation.

This made it easier to record "Kan Water Gang, Li Fire Sword Technique".

The most common type of internal energy in the world is the externally cultivated internal energy.

The method of combining Qi with Gang is extremely rare. Gang Qi differs from Zhen Qi in that it is more dense, fierce, and direct.

It is a different approach from the method that emphasizes subtle and profound vital energy.

Therefore, when he fought Qian Zhengrong last time, even though he used his true energy to imbue his fists and feet, he still couldn't avoid suffering some external injuries.

The essence of Kan water requires cultivating the Huangting, Jinlu, and Guanyuan acupoints, which are closely related to the Dantian.

Adding the Tanzhong acupoint completes the four levels of the Dantian.

This is the most common cultivation method used by martial arts practitioners to cultivate Qi and gather true essence in the Ren and Du meridians.

It's just that his approach is different from Zhou Yi's.

The method of Kan Shui Zhi Gang involves the Qi emerging from the Dantian and flowing through the Ren and Du meridians, using the true Qi of the orthodox Xuanmen to combine with the power of the three orifices to gather true Qi into Gang.

To say that you can understand it is no problem at all.

However, the Louguan School's secret technique is not so easy to master, especially the simultaneous flow of sword energy.

The Li Huo Sword Technique trains the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, which requires innate, subtle true qi, making it a high-threshold skill.

Then, using the Ren and Du meridians, follow the flow of Qi through the Houxi acupoint to enter the Taiyang meridian. As the Qi flows downwards, it forms the Kan and Li sword Qi.

Zhou Yi studied it diligently.

Although he had never interacted with Zuo Youxian, he had already gained a preliminary understanding of his Meridian Sword Qi through this method.

The requirement for Taoist profound skills is not difficult, after all, he has the Xuanzhen Temple's collection.

It's just that it was trained from the twelve orthodox methods, so it may not necessarily meet the requirements of sword energy.

The Ren and Du meridians are the demonic true energy of the Dao Heart after its mutation. Although they are extraordinary, Zhou Yi was not sure whether he could master this miraculous sword technique.

If the old Taoist priest hadn't been there, he probably wouldn't have been able to resist giving it a try.

Let's not worry about that for now, just copy it down.

Even if Xia Shu and Yan Qiu are not destined for the Longevity Technique, they can still practice this sword energy with me.

Zhou Yi copied the Louguan scriptures, the old Taoist priest meditated and regulated his breathing, and everyone was busy with their own things.

In the evening, Lu Zushang personally delivered dinner.

He wanted to stay a little longer, but was chased away by Matsuhiko.

"Did your disciple also practice this sword technique and internal energy cultivation method?"

"I practiced, but unfortunately I only learned half of it."

Song Yinzi shook his head as he ate:
"He was quite good at the internal energy cultivation method and had a strong internal energy. It's a pity that he couldn't learn the Fire Sword Technique, or rather, he didn't have the talent for using a sword, so he switched to the saber technique."

"Being able to become a master in one's own right is already a rare achievement; there's no need to push yourself too hard."

Zhou Yi asked again, "Can I pass this technique on to others?"

"can."

Song Yinzi wasn't worried at all: "Without Taoist cultivation, it's impossible to master sword energy."

Zhou Yi has had a rather leisurely time these past two days.

I discussed Taoist philosophy with the old Taoist master, and also talked about the sword qi cultivation method.

Perhaps they were genuinely compatible, and there was also the debt of gratitude for saving their lives.

Song Yinzi then explained to him one by one the methods of practicing qi, such as circulating qi, gathering qi, combining qi, and the fire sword technique.

He has practiced this skill for over sixty years.

In just a few days, he talked more and more, giving Zhou Yi a head full of knowledge.

On the fifth day, after Song Yinzi finished explaining the method to overcome inner demons, Zhou Yi couldn't help but say:

“Fellow Daoist Song, what you are doing is no longer discussing the Dharma, but rather transmitting the Dao.”

The old Taoist priest said, "I only intended to speak briefly with you, but you..."

He carefully examined Zhou Yi's face: "But you grasp things too quickly, and sometimes the questions you raise inspire me as well."

"Firstly, your understanding of my unorthodox lineage is a great comfort to me."

"Secondly, I will find it difficult to pass on this skill. Even I myself have not been able to achieve the final state of sword energy fusion. If you can carry it forward, that would be excellent."

"As for the life-saving grace you gave me, besides the bond of the Daoist sect, I will repay you in another way."

Zhou Yi laughed and asked curiously, "What method?"

"When all the Taoist friends gather again, I will definitely recommend you as the number one Taoist."

The smile shifted from Zhou Yi's face to the old Taoist priest's:
"Although I know Ning Sanren, knowing him is one thing, knowing him is another."

"Don't."

Zhou Yi raised one palm to refuse:
"I am far from being as good as Ning Sanren, so I must not do these things. When Ning Sanren comes to me to discuss the Dao, I can only talk to him about how to get out of the dark."

"I don't even want to think about it."

Seeing the top genius of the Taoist sect suffer a setback, Song Yinzi grinned and laughed.

He has always maintained a good attitude, but he has been somewhat affected these past few days.

Before even starting to practice, he grasped the essence of the skill instantly.

What kind of person is that? Seriously.
Fortunately, after laughing, I felt relieved.

On this day, Song Yinzi finished explaining the basic principles of the Louguan Sword Gang's Flow.

Zhou Yi planned to stay for two more days before heading down the mountain.

As night fell that day, the two were meditating in the hall.

suddenly
Their expressions changed, and they all opened their eyes. Song Yinzi was unable to use his powers, while Zhou Yi leaped away from the main hall and rushed straight to the pine forest on the west side!

"Quack quack quack~~!"

A flock of crows took flight from the forest, breaking the stillness of the night.

Zhou Yi stood on a tall pine tree, and Song Yinzi stepped out with his sword and also leaped onto a branch.

The two looked down the mountain, into the vast darkness. No matter how good their eyesight was, they could not see anything in the darkness.

"This person has exceptional lightness skills."

Zhou Yi shifted his gaze from the distance back: "This killing intent... who has Fellow Daoist Song offended?"

"Perhaps they are members of the demonic sect whom I offended in the past. Knowing that I am injured, they want to take advantage of me."

"But they didn't expect the real person to be there, so they fled without a fight."

"Fellow Daoist Song, please heed my advice and do not stay here for the time being."

Zhou Yi said solemnly, "Let your disciple do something to show his filial piety."

"Alright."

The next day, the two went down the mountain together and returned to Guangshan City from Qingsong Temple.

At the city gate, Lu Zushang came forward to greet them.

Zhou Yi glanced back at Qingsong Temple.

I sensed that the person climbing the mountain at night was no ordinary person, but I couldn't guess his identity.

Lu Zushang hosted a banquet at his residence today and also invited Bu, the leader of the Giant Kun Gang, as a public reconciliation.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi, Bu Tianzhi immediately reported the news.

"Just as the abbot predicted, the rice and grain looted from Rufeng Granary have not yet been transported out."

Zhou Yi asked again, "Is it possible to get your hands on it?"

"It's hard."

Bu Tianzhi said, "We need a large number of men, otherwise we won't be able to deal with these bandits."

"Unless the abbot persuades Lu Zushang to mobilize the manpower of the two prefectures, it will not be difficult to take back the rice."

Zhou Yi thought about it and decided against it.

It's not worth causing Li Zitong any trouble.

As they walked toward the Lu residence, one of them asked, "By the way, which Sui army is active in Runan?"

"Zhang Xutuo's."

"That's General You Hongda, who recently slaughtered bandits in Huai'an."

After Bu Tianzhi finished speaking, he looked at Zhou Yi and saw that Zhou Yi had a strange expression.

"What's wrong?"

"No, just tell me where the rice is."

"..."

Lu Zushang followed his master's advice and did not hold a lavish banquet, but he did invite several important friends.

At the head table of the Lu family residence, he continuously introduced the identities of the people in the circle.

There are two renowned martial arts figures from the prefectures, such as the Two Elders of Yingshan and Gu Lang, the top water-dwelling expert in Shangming. There are also officials, such as Wang Honglie, the prefectural magistrate of Yiyang Prefecture, and a spirited young girl from Gushi.

She was Wei Jing, the daughter of Wei Qian, the Grand Secretary of the Sui Dynasty.

Zhou Yi had some impression of her, after all, she was a famous person who lived until Wu Zetian's time.

In addition, there were two Taoist friends.

The person who hosted the banquet was Lu Zushang, but everyone knew the truth in their hearts.

Today I came here,

It was to befriend the extraordinary man of Nanyang, the abbot of Wuzhuang Temple who was knowledgeable in Yin and Yang.
……

(End of this chapter)