Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 217 The Source of All Laws: The East is Dawn
The attitude of the Sword Master made Rongliu Wang feel like the sky had fallen.

In a short moment, his mind was filled with all sorts of distracting thoughts, but as Zhou Yi's gaze flew over, these thoughts shattered and turned into sorrow that filled his heart.

He will bear the heavy title of "the king who lost his country".

Hesitation inevitably gave rise to thoughts of rebellion.

But he remained calm and quickly put the thought out.

This is not Yang Guang. The master of chess and swordsmanship has conceded defeat, and Goguryeo has no chance left.

Knowing that Zhou Yi was not a soft-hearted person, he did not dare to follow Gao Yuan's example and treat Yang Guang with "one face on the surface and another behind his back." At that time, he would not be condemned as a "disgraced minister" but would most likely be beheaded and turned into dust.

Gao Jianwu did not hide his emotions; his facial expression revealed his utter helplessness, sadness, and melancholy.

He then let out a long breath and asked Zhou Yi in a low voice, "May I have some time to think about it?"

Zhou Yi said calmly, "Of course, but I'll be different next time."

The calm words made Gao Jianwu's eyes change, and a chill ran down his spine.

He met Fu Cailin's gaze again, composed himself, and finally made up his mind. He then cupped his hands in a deep bow and said:
"Your humble servant Gao Jianwu is willing to enter the court to receive the imperial summons and obey all the emperor's orders."

Zhou Yi then smiled.

No matter how much Guangshen summoned him back then, Gao Yuan, who feigned compliance, simply refused to go to court. He knew that once he went to court, he might never be able to return.

When Rongliu Wang said this, he made his stance clear.

This was to let the emperor of the Nine Provinces know that he was not only sensible but also dared not play games.

“King Rongliu, sit down and have a drink.”

Zhou Yi pointed to the seat next to him, "I haven't become emperor yet, so you don't need to be so reserved."

"Not at all formalities?" Gao Jianwu only listened to it briefly, knowing that it was just polite talk and shouldn't be taken seriously.

A vengeful emperor will never forget those who have offended him.

Moreover, this emperor was the epitome of power and military might.

"Yes."

Gao Jianwu responded politely. Seeing that he was in a daze, Fu Cailin kept pouring him wine. Perhaps because Gao Jianwu liked wine, he accepted it without hesitation and drank half a jar of mulberry wine.

People say that alcohol can relieve sorrow, and there's probably some truth to that.

After drinking half a jar of wine, Rong Liuwang felt a sudden sense of relief.

'Even the demonic dragon failed, so what chance do I have?'

'Since there's no way to resist, isn't it a sign of great wisdom for me, as a foreign monarch offering my loyalty? The Turks haven't even had that opportunity yet.'

'Goguryeo originally belonged to Kyushu; I am merely acknowledging my ancestral roots.'

'...'

With each sip of his drink, he could come up with three more reasons to comfort himself.

Gradually, he began to talk to Zhou Yi about the political system, personnel, customs, and geography of Goguryeo.

The deeper the night, the more intimate Rongliuwang's words became.

He stated directly that he would present a map of Goguryeo's territory on the day of his coronation ceremony.

At the end of the Xu hour (7-9 PM), Fu Cailin and his group said goodbye and left.

Zhou Yi then sat with Hou Xibai, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Song Shidao, and Ba Feng Han.

Zhou Yi looked at Ba Feng Han and couldn't help but ask, "Do you still have any eighty-year-old Wu Cheng Zhi Ruo Xia Chun this time?"

Ba Feng Han felt ashamed, but Kou Xu, knowing his embarrassing moment, immediately laughed.

"I was blind back then and did not know the identity of the Celestial Master. Moreover, having just emerged from seclusion, I felt that my swordsmanship had greatly improved, but I became a frog in a well, and the Celestial Master must have laughed at me."

Ba Feng Han did not shy away from discussing these unpleasant past events.

He then cupped his hands in greeting and said:
"I was fortunate that the Celestial Master spared my life that day, otherwise I would have been dead. But I never admit defeat. I will practice my sword diligently for the rest of my life, hoping that one day I will be qualified to challenge again."

Zhou Yi commented, "This is enough for you to store several jars of very old, fine wine."

"it is good!"

Ba Feng Han knew that the gap between them was huge: "I, Ba, will seal the wine and hide the sword. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will bring the wine to find the Celestial Master."

Zhou Yi nodded with satisfaction: "You've given me some hope."

Ba Feng Han's thoughts were racing, and a trace of melancholy appeared on his face. Back in the northern desert, he had always fought his way through, fearless of heaven and earth, and had countless near-death experiences. He had never had any sense of awe.

But the person in front of him was still an "unknown opponent" to him at this moment.

I was unable to get a clear picture of the opponent's strength by asking Master Yijian to make a move, and I don't know where his skill level is.

That profound and ethereal feeling is almost identical to the reliefs in the Temple of War.

It was hard to imagine before that there was such an unknown and profound realm of martial arts above the Grandmaster.

Zhou Yi turned to ask Kou and Xu, and it turned out that they had also entered the Temple of the God of War.

Perhaps because they had practiced the Longevity Technique, their greatest gain after reading the War God's Manual was the technique left behind by Guang Chengzi.

When Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling talked about Guang Chengzi, they were both amazed by the incorruptible, diamond-like body in the Temple of the God of War.

From the Temple of War, we then talked about Wei Commandery.

“We went to Anyang to look for Zhen’s sister-in-law, but unfortunately she and Yuwen Huaji have both disappeared.”

At this point, the two expressed not only regret but also great concern.

“I know where she is.”

"Huh?!" Kou Xu's eyes snapped open. "Where is Sister Zhen? Is she alright?"

The two said in unison.

"She is fine. She asked me to tell you that you don't need to worry."

After Zhou Yi finished speaking, the worry on their faces immediately lessened.

Xu Ziling remained uneasy: "I don't know if Yuwen Huaji truly loves Zhen's sister-in-law."

“Don’t worry,” Zhou Yi said, though she couldn’t understand it, she had seen it with her own eyes. “They must be truly in love. Yuwen Huaji risked his own life to save her.”

"My goodness!" Kou Zhong exclaimed, his mouth agape in surprise. "I never imagined that Yuwen Huaji was such a devoted lover."

Compared to their suicide pact, Zhou Yi felt this was already quite good: "She went east to the Japanese islands with Yuwen Huaji. If you want to see her again, you will have to cross the sea."

Kou and Xu looked eastward and laughed together: "That's perfect."

"Oh?"

Kou Zhong raised an eyebrow excitedly:

"After witnessing the unique space of the Temple of the God of War, we realized that martial arts are boundless and the world is boundless. A true man's ambition lies in exploring the four corners of the world. What is most exciting and thrilling is the constant exploration of the unknown wonders. We have set our sights on traveling the world. After you, Brother Zhou, unify the Nine Provinces, we will first follow Ba Xiaozi to venture into the grasslands, and then into the vast ocean to see the overseas world."

Zhou Yi seemed thoughtful: "Just the two of you?"

"Of course not. Besides Ba boy, there are also Master Fu's apprentices, the Song siblings, and perhaps others who are interested."

After Xu Ziling finished speaking, he took out a book from his bosom, which was the "Rites of Zhou" that Zhou Yi had given him.

“Brother Zhou, I’ve distributed this book wherever I go. What do you think?”

"Wonderful," Zhou Yi praised sincerely.

Kou Zhong grinned and said, "If I expand the territory and plant the flags of the Tang Dynasty everywhere, will you, Boss Zhou, appoint me as a great general?"

Zhou Yi replied matter-of-factly, "That's no problem at all. I'll have someone build you a large ocean-going vessel, named the Golden Ship, to help you conquer the seas."

The three of them got along quite well on this topic.

Song Shidao, who was standing to the side, was stunned.

"Circumnavigation of the Globe," "Sea Treasures," "King of the Seas," "Age of Exploration"—all these phrases are used to describe the voyages of the world.
Is this right?
Not only was Song Shidao stunned, but Ba Feng Han was no less so. Even the wealthy young master who was very familiar with Zhou Yi only realized at this moment how knowledgeable Zhou Yi was about the overseas world.

Or perhaps people were simply used to the strange things about Zhou Yi and just thought he was a man of great knowledge and experience, without giving it much thought.

They chatted until three-quarters past midnight.

Two sets of footsteps approached on the long street. A Taoist priest in his thirties with an upright appearance led a young Taoist who looked to be fourteen or fifteen years old.

The two men glanced at the wine shop from afar and immediately showed delight.

The person hasn't left yet!

"Uncle Master."

Master Pan walked up and called out "Uncle-Master" clearly and loudly.

The Crow Taoist became more and more correct in his mind.

"Celestial Master!" Li Chunfeng bowed respectfully.

When Zhou Yi saw that they had come specifically to find him, he temporarily set Kou Xu and the others aside and asked, "What is it?"

Pan Shizheng dared not be negligent: "I have specially invited my uncle to visit Todai-ji Temple."

When the Dongda Temple in Chang'an was mentioned, Zhou Yi thought of the abbot, Master Huangshan, who was also a highly accomplished Buddhist master with extraordinary Zen skills, but he had no connection with him.

"Is Ning Sanren at Todai-ji Temple?"

"Yes."

Pan Shizhengdao:

"My master, Master Mu, Master Shilong, and others are also here. However, the people we mainly wanted to invite this time were from the Holy Land. We happened to hear news of our master on Zhuque Street and came here immediately. It seems that the people from the Buddhist sect who invited our master have not yet arrived."

Zhou Yi was originally not interested in the Buddhist invitation.

But since Fellow Daoist Mu and several other old acquaintances were present, he nodded and replied, "I'll go in the next day or two."

"Yes!"

After Pan Shizheng finished speaking, seeing that they were drinking, he decided not to disturb them.

He led Li Chunfeng to take his leave and depart.

As soon as they stepped out of the long street, Master Pan looked the young Taoist priest beside him up and down: "Before you met Uncle Zhou, weren't you eager to become his disciple? Why didn't you say a word after meeting him?"

Li Chunfeng showed a look of regret:
"Before meeting the Celestial Master, I had already performed several divinations for myself, and each divination result was different. The art of divination seemed to lose its effectiveness when applied to the Celestial Master."

"Just like a few days ago, there was thunder and lightning, it looked like it was going to rain but there was no rain at all, and instead there were several sunny days."

"Therefore, only by meeting him in person can one know what the Celestial Master is thinking."

He looked dejected and sighed, "Although I have some talent for cultivation, I can tell from today's meeting that the Celestial Master has not taken a liking to me."

Master Pan shook his head: "Since you have something in mind, why not try asking again?"

"I already asked once at Xuanyuan Pass."

Li Chunfeng also shook his head: "Besides, times have changed. The more I know, the less I dare to speak. It's better not to make a bad impression."

Upon hearing this, Pan Shizheng actually laughed.

He asked that on purpose.

"That's the right way to think, so you don't create inner demons for yourself. With your current status, it's no longer appropriate for you to take on disciples. Who could be confident enough to be his disciple?"

"I think you'll have a good chance if you become Ning Sanren's apprentice."

"no no no"

Li Chunfeng waved his hands repeatedly and said with a smile, "I would like to become your junior brother, fellow Daoist. Is there any chance?"

The abacus beads hit Pan Shizheng directly in the face.

If you can't get the title of "Master," you can always call him "Uncle-Master."

Pan Shizhengdao:

“My master has an eccentric temper, and I can’t guarantee whether he will accept disciples. Why don’t you become a disciple of Master Mu? Master Mu has a better relationship with Uncle Zhou, and you can learn the most powerful weapon-forging techniques in the world. You will have the opportunity to become a master swordsmith in the future.”

Li Chunfeng was somewhat annoyed: "It's a pity that Master Mu doesn't accept disciples."

Pan Shizheng offered advice to Li Chunfeng along the way, while Zhou Yi also parted ways with Kou Xu and others, heading to Hou Xibai's residence together.

"Brother Zhou, there might be someone in Chang'an who interests you."

Hou Xibai lightly waved his folding fan, looking as if he could see right through Zhou Yi.

"Who?"

"She's a beauty."

Zhou Yi said "Oh," and then added, "Are you talking about Shang Xiufang?"

"I knew it," Hou Xibai said with an expression of certainty when he saw how quickly Zhou reacted. "How could someone as sentimental as Brother Zhou overlook Lady Shang? She is as famous as Junior Sister Shi. Since you love Junior Sister Shi's flute playing, you must be able to appreciate the beauty of her singing."

"So, Master Shang has been invited to Shanglin Garden as a guest. Shall I take you there to hear a piece of music?"

Hou Xibai noticed Zhou Yi's gaze and added, "Don't look at me like that. Although I often frequent groups of women, I remain completely untainted and have never done anything to dishonor the Flower School."

He did tell the truth.

Zhou Yi thought for a moment and then politely declined, saying, "Never mind, I don't want to listen to music lately."

"Huh?" Hou Xibai exclaimed in surprise, "Is this really the Brother Zhou I know?"

Seeing that Zhou Yi did not respond, he continued to probe:

"Everyone has heard of Xiufang before. When I met her last time, I mentioned that you have a talent for painting. She was curious about you and admired you. This time, you will surely have a very pleasant conversation."

Zhou Yi said irritably:

"Love has always brought only regret, Brother Hou."

"Hey," Hou Xibai ignored these empty words, his eyes full of gossip, "Where did my charming young master Zhou go? You're going to be the emperor. Brother Zhou is invincible in the world, could it be that you're afraid of your wife?"

"What kind of talk is that? Being an emperor doesn't mean being a stud, and being afraid of one's wife? Don't judge others by your own standards."

Hou Xibai saw that he was serious, and although he felt something was off, he couldn't help but nod in appreciation.

Zhou Yi thought of various places, including Dongdu, Bashu, pastures, Nanyang, and Chang'an, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that he was overwhelmed with other matters.

Even Lao Lu knows that fruit wine can only be brewed from six kinds of fruit.

Adding another type of fruit can make the flavor richer, but it doesn't necessarily make it taste better.

The next day.

Zhou Yi ignored the Buddhist monks and did not go to Dongda Temple or Shanglin Garden.

Instead, she secretly went to the Xiang family's residence with Hou Xibai.

Xiang Yushan's father, Xiang Gui, was the source of the evil of trafficking innocent women and also controlled large casinos such as Chang'an Liufu Casino.

His men were all the same kind of scum as the Baling Gang.

They planned to wipe out Xiang Gui and his gang while they were at it, but when they arrived at the Xiang family's residence, they discovered that the huge mansion, located in the north of the city near the palace, had been completely emptied. Apart from the occasional petty thief who slipped in, there wasn't a single person left.

"Ran?"

"Does anyone know where they are?"

……

Besides being surrounded by eight rivers, Chang'an also boasts the largest gambling den in the world, Mingtangwo, which is run by the renowned "Great Immortal" Hu Fu. He is the head of the Hu Immortal Sect and the most prestigious old man in the gambling world.

Hoover made his fortune and established his character. Twenty years ago, he publicly offered pigs and sheep to the god Hoover, vowing never to cheat again and promising that no one would be allowed to cheat in his casinos.

Therefore, "Mingtangwo" became the most famous and prestigious casino in the world.

Before lunch.

The Mingtang brothel was bustling and noisy. No matter what major events were happening outside, as soon as things calmed down a bit, these gamblers would gather again.

They are constantly stimulated by the wins and losses in casinos, and have become addicted.

Inside the accounting room on the third floor, there was no sound of abacuses; you could hear a pin drop.

Inside the hall, a person was kneeling on the ground.

He was between forty-five and forty-six years old, with thick, gray hair combed straight back from his forehead and tied in a bun, covered by a small square crown made of green jade. He had delicate features and five long tufts of beard, which were also the same gray color as his hair.

With her slender figure, she does indeed possess a strange quality reminiscent of a "fox spirit".

Without a doubt, he was none other than the famous gambling magnate, Hoover, who wielded immense wealth.

With his power and influence in Guanzhong, he could communicate with someone like Li Yuan with neither arrogance nor servility.

When the younger generation of various families met him, they had to address him as "Great Immortal" to show their respect.

He made his fortune through gambling in his early years, and his mentality is exceptionally good.

No matter how important the bet, he could perfectly control his emotions.

However, at this moment, Hoover was gripped by the greatest panic of his life, with beads of cold sweat constantly sliding down his nose.

He occasionally glanced up at the white-clad man who was flipping through the ledgers in the inner room, which were strictly forbidden to outsiders. His heart pounded with anxiety.

I wonder why this being has suddenly arrived at Mingtang.

Hoover was famous and powerful enough.

But he doesn't want to die.

Before this person, his life or death was entirely up to that person's whim.

Gambling reputation and wealth are not worth mentioning.

'When did I incur a debt to the Celestial Master without realizing it? Otherwise, why would he immediately check the accounts upon arrival?'

Upon realizing this, Hoover gasped in shock; this was a serious matter.

He tentatively asked in a respectful tone:
"The Celestial Master is here. May I ask what you wish to ask? If there is anything I, Hu, can do to help, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Soon, he heard a reply:
"Are you currently managing the Xiang family's Liufu Casino?"

"Yes!" Hoover, fearing a misunderstanding, quickly explained, "Xiang Gui has gone to seek refuge. I bought the Luk Fook Casino at a very low price. If the Celestial Master takes a liking to this place, I am willing to give it to him without hesitation."

"Are you going to shield Xiang Gui from disaster?"

Upon hearing this, he immediately realized that Xiang Gui and the entire Xiang family were completely doomed.

A chill ran down his spine. He swallowed hard and quickly began to explain:
“Hu and Xiang Gui have always been mortal enemies. This time, when he was in trouble, Hu took advantage of the situation to buy his business so that he would never be able to make a comeback. It has absolutely nothing to do with him.” After Hu Fu finished speaking, the sound of several pages of account books being turned could be heard.

A slow, drawn-out response came after a short while:
Where did Xiang Gui escape to?

Hu Fu said, "I don't know either, but he is related to Li Yuanji. Most of the money used to purchase the Six Fortune Casino ended up in Li Yuanji's hands."

Then, he recounted everything he knew about the Xiang family.

As his arch-enemy, he knew quite a lot.

He even revealed the exact locations of some of the Xiang family's hidden small businesses.

After listening, Zhou Yi closed the several ledgers he had been looking through.

Aside from normal gambling den lending, mortgages, and acquisition transactions, there was no human trafficking.

He glanced at Hoover.

There are countless gambling dens in the world, but in terms of fame, Hoover is undoubtedly the most famous.

"You saw what happened to the Xiang family. If you're in this business, you need to know how to be tactful."

"Yes!"

Hu Fu solemnly replied, "I dare not overstep any of the rules of the court."

After he finished speaking, he waited for a response.

But after a long while, there was no sound, and the sound of turning the ledgers disappeared.

He mustered his courage and looked up, but there was no one left in the inner hall.

They come and go without a sound, just like ghosts.

Hoover was horrified; his heavy breathing was clearly heard by a young and beautiful woman who walked in.

Seeing the 'Master' slumped on the ground without any decorum, Hu Xiaoxian was startled:
"Dad, what's wrong with you?"

She looked around but didn't see anyone: "Who did you see? Why did you clear out all the accountants?"

Hoover, upon seeing his daughter, was deeply moved: "We almost ended up separated by death."

Hu Xiaoxian was taken aback.

Who is it?

Hoover looked around, unsure if the other party was still nearby, and said respectfully, "It is the Celestial Master who has arrived."

"what?!"

"Father, you've gone mad!" Hu Xiaoxian exclaimed in horror. "When did you incur a debt to the Celestial Master?"

Do I have the guts?

Hu Fu cursed, "It's all that bastard Xiang Gui's fault, he almost got me into trouble too."

As he spoke, he recounted everything that had just happened and his own speculations.

The Xiang family is doomed, and they need to wake up.

"The rumors are true. The Celestial Master hates evil as if it were his enemy. From now on, we must abide by the law and never risk our lives for money."

Hoover looked visibly shaken.
"Thank goodness the accounts were clean, otherwise I would be in big trouble today. If something like this happened to me, I would lose several years of my lifespan. I must never have to go through that again."

He glanced at his strikingly beautiful daughter and suddenly suggested:

"If the new dynasty holds a selection of consorts in the palace and sends you in, what do you think?"

"You'll feel at ease selling your daughter, won't you?"

Hu Xiaoxian was speechless, but then laughed and said, "But I have no objection. His appearance suits my taste."

"Master Hoover" felt he had been reprimanded.

Having been in the underworld for many years, he was naturally not stupid. So, using his status as the leader of the gambling industry, he started a non-stop overhaul of the gambling den business, beginning with Mingtangwo.

The case of the Xiang family serves as the best negative example.

The secret business dealings he provided, which were related to the Xiang family, immediately caught Zhou Yi's attention.

That afternoon, the news was sent first by members of the Giant Kun Gang.

The great army coming from the south is almost here.

Nearly a thousand vanguard troops dispersed and entered Chang'an City.

The city had a large garrison, but they were quite lax in their duties.

Based on the information obtained from Erfeng, the temporary court in Chang'an had basically no intention of resisting. If Li Yuan hadn't delayed things, they would have already made their stance clear.

Zhou Yi met Cheng Yaojin and Qin Shubao, who had led the team.

So he handed over the tasks related to the Xiang family.

Before long, it got dark. Zhou Yi was talking to Hou Xibai about the situation at Xiji Garden and Mobei when a special guest arrived.

"Heavenly Master."

Looking at the person at the entrance of the Moon Cave in the city center's elegant garden, Zhou Yi echoed:
"Master Liaokong has stopped practicing silent meditation?"

Liao Kong clasped his hands together, but his condition was very wrong; he looked more than twenty years older than usual.

He went from being a young-looking monk to an old monk.

"This old monk has no way to calm his mind, so I might as well shut up and not practice meditation."

"Is this an insight gained from the Temple of War?"

"I gained some insights, but they weren't beneficial to me."

"What do you mean?" Zhou Yi pointed to the stone bench next to him, gesturing for him to sit down.

Liao Kong remained standing, looking up at the dark sky: "From the Temple of the God of War, I saw a more distant path ahead, as if guiding me across the sea of ​​suffering to reach the other shore."

"Unfortunately, I can see clearly that I will never have the chance to condense the Treasure Raft for Salvation in this lifetime."

"How did you see it clearly?"

"Senior Guang Chengzi, who shattered the Vajra, has left an indelible mark on us. His immortal remains have brought us immense shock. Only a body like his could transcend the world."

The current Buddhist practice methods are somewhat similar to Guang Chengzi's final breaking of the Vajra, relying on the ascension of the primordial spirit.

For example, the precious book left behind at Baima Temple, the Vajrayana Sutra.

The more this is the case, the more Guang Chengzi's immortal body seems like a demon to them.

Once one's will falters and one discovers that something is unattainable, one becomes much like Liaokong at this moment.

Zhou Yi's gaze was fixed on his face: "Actually, you didn't see it clearly."

Liao Kong clasped his hands in a respectful bow and asked, "Master, what is the meaning of this statement?"

"There is actually no difference between Buddhism, demonism and Taoism. To transcend this world, one needs a heart that seeks the Tao and martial arts. Some people experience love, hate and passion in the marketplace and remain pure. Some people chant scriptures and recite Buddhist mantras in the deep mountains, yet their lives are full of impurities."

"For example, your thoughts are very chaotic. You are not a true Buddhist scholar seeking martial arts. You seem to have no desires, but you are actually not as good as those who are caught up in the mundane world."

"Whether the Vajra is broken or not and whether the physical body is Vajra are completely different things."

"However, a complex primordial spirit like yours cannot even break through the mortal shell, let alone break through the void."

Liao Kong, startled but seemingly enlightened, bowed again and said, "Thank you for your guidance."

Zhou Yi didn't care: "What brings the Zen Master here?"

"Two things."

Liao Kong said, "Firstly, I would like to invite the Celestial Master to grace Dongda Temple with his presence."

I will come early tomorrow.

After listening, Liao Kong continued, "Secondly, this old monk has come to ask the Celestial Master what Jingnian Zen Temple should do?"

Zhou Yi looked deeply into his now clear eyes and reminded him:
“Jingnian Temple has many eminent monks who are dedicated to arduous practice, but it also has its share of those who are content with pleasure. You have a great many subordinate temples, but you have misunderstood the meaning of Buddhist temples. It is not wrong to persuade people to do good and to have a compassionate heart, but you should not take the opportunity to do big business.”

"You make other people's wishes come true."

"That immortal bronze palace, how much gold and bronze is there? When the world was in chaos, how many people went hungry, yet your compassion was nowhere to be seen."

"Venerable Zen Master, I have a question for you: Is this how Buddhist practitioners meditate and cultivate themselves?"

He made his point clear, and even though Hou Xibai was the only onlooker around, Liao Kong felt ashamed.

Zhou Yi asked again:

"Let me ask you again, if I were to rule the world, do you think I would allow a place that harbors filth and corruption to exist?"

Liao Kong sighed softly, "This old monk understands."

After he finished speaking, he said goodbye again and left in a very decisive manner.

Hou Xibai clicked his tongue: "You instruct the sword master on how to play the sword, and teach the Zen master how to meditate and cultivate. Brother Zhou, what else do you want to do?"

"Come with me to Todai-ji Temple and you will understand."

Zhou Yi laughed and said, "Ning Sanren is probably waiting for me. I will teach him what the Zhuangzi is."

"Hahaha!"

Hou Xibai laughed loudly: "Brilliant!"

He looked at Zhou Yi expectantly and said, "Brother Zhou, you have mastered all the laws, even surpassing the War God's Manual. May I ask what you would like to teach me?"

"I already taught you that."

"what?"

"This hatred will last forever."

"Let's choose another one, Brother Zhou."

"If you have to find someone else, then one person will cry alone. True love conquers all."

Hou Xibai silently fanned himself: "Brother Zhou's favoritism is truly disheartening."

……

Todai-ji Temple is magnificent and was once a place for the royal family to pray for blessings.

As dawn broke, Zhou Yi and Hou Xibai set off.

As they approached Todai-ji Temple, Hou Xibai introduced him to the buildings nearby, such as the Gyokuho-an, which was closely related to the Cihang Jingzhai.

Zhou Yi smiled slightly, guessing that Fei Xuan was here.

"arrive."

As dawn broke, Todai-ji Temple was enveloped in a misty, damp atmosphere.

The ancient temple's eaves pierced the pale blue light of the sky, while the bronze bells on the eaves remained silent.

The early summer breeze swept through the ancient trees, and the newly sprouted leaves, laden with dew, occasionally dropped a drop, which shattered on the stone steps.

Just as they approached the temple, a man suddenly came out to greet them.

Instead of using the main gate, the person leaped down from the eaves, landing with a sound even softer than dew hitting the stone steps.

Zhou Yi had seen him a long time ago.

Judging from the dew on his body, he must have stayed on the roof tiles all night.

Ning Daoqi was dressed in a green robe. His tall and upright figure was like an old pine tree, blending into the ancient temple, the morning breeze, and the dew. He was carefree and unrestrained.

Against the backdrop of the sky that was just beginning to brighten, Zhou Yi became a white blur in front of Ning Daoqi's eyes, appearing even more solid in Ning Daoqi's pupils.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, you've been waiting for me here all night?"

"Yes."

Ning Daoqi reached out and stroked his five-strand beard, his aura intensifying.

Hou Xibai, who was standing to the side, noticed something amiss, but remained silent and quietly retreated to the side.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Ning has many feelings and is eager to find an opponent to spar with. At this moment, I will give it a try."

Zhou Yi's voice was gentle and warm, without a trace of worldliness.

Ning Daoqi did indeed have such thoughts.

But it's really impolite of them to start a sparring match as soon as they arrive.

"The Celestial Master will first go to the temple for some tea and water, and then I, Ning, will come to seek further instruction in the evening."

Old Master Ning was quite particular. Zhou Yi smiled slightly and said, "We all belong to the same Taoist sect, so let's not be so formal."

Ning Daoqi was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something was amiss.

Zhou Yi slightly raised his hand.

It is an extremely simple action, like brushing aside the willow branches in front of you, or picking the dew from the leaves.

But in that instant, the power of nature suddenly reversed, and Ning Daoqi's aura was restricted, abruptly freezing.

His aura, which harmoniously coexisted with and subtly resonated with his surroundings, was silently severed with that single gesture.

The wind seemed to have stopped, and dew clung to the air.

just like.
Ning Daoqi was trying to sense the power of nature when his hand snapped his arm.

Instantly, all the "power" he could borrow, control, and rely on was cut off.

The world remained unchanged, no longer at his disposal.

This was a strange pressure; he wanted to speak, but Zhou Yi had anticipated it:
"Fellow Daoist Ning, there's no need to hold back."

"Master, please forgive me."

Ning Daoqi let out a soft, clear, and passionate whistle, attempting to break free from this invisible constraint.

He could no longer wait, nor could he strike first. So he unleashed all his life's cultivation, and as he moved toward Zhou Yi, it seemed as if countless afterimages rushed out at the same time.

Eight-handed pouncing move!

The myriad variations are all contained within the eight essential principles. The moves are free and unrestrained, without any fixed rules, like a celestial horse galloping through the sky, unbound and unrestricted. It is like riding the clouds freely and controlling the air to fly like a dragon, which is wonderful beyond words.

Hou Xibai, standing to the side, found it fascinating.

He simply watched the two fight, selectively ignoring the group of people standing at the entrance of Todai-ji Temple.

Ning Daoqi's title as the number one Taoist master of the previous generation was not given lightly. When he combined the Eight Strikes of the Scattered Hands with the meaning of the Nan Hua Jing, the scene was extremely mysterious.

Sometimes it is like a roc spreading its wings, stirring up the wind and clouds; sometimes it is like an eagle slaying a rabbit, fierce and unparalleled.

His movements changed with his fists and palms, pushing towards Zhou Yi. Like a crane dancing in the clear sky, his movements suddenly changed from light and graceful to heavy and powerful, like an old bear pushing a mountain. A tremendous force surged forth!
The eight consecutive attacks, creating a series of illusions, perfectly showcased the exquisite and unrestrained nature of his martial arts.

Zhou Yi was surrounded by Ning Daoqi's energy, which swept up dust on the ground and stirred up dew into a hazy mist.

This strike contained endless variations. The water mist suddenly expanded, turning into countless fist, palm, and hand shadows, each with its own unique shape, and attacked Zhou Yi with great speed and force. This was the manifestation of Ning Sanren's martial arts peak, enough to make even the world's grandmasters change color.

At the same time, he also tried to resonate with the forces of nature around him.

But the wind, dust, leaves, and dew in nature are all beyond his control.

Despite the attacks of the Eight-Pounce Strikes, Zhou Yi remained standing still. The natural power that Ning Daoqi longed to unleash flowed around him, following his internal energy.

Therefore, the onslaught that came like a tidal wave was like waves crashing against rocks.

Seeing that he had finished using the Eight Pounces technique, Zhou Yi raised his right index finger and pointed it forward.

This point points to the most impossible, least forceful, and most illusory place in the sky of illusions.

It was as if they had already foreseen where the Kunpeng would fly, where the eagle would land, which branch the crane would perch on, and which tree the bear would ultimately lean on.

It transcends the variations in techniques and the strength of internal energy, truly embodying the carefree and ethereal spirit pursued in the Zhuangzi!

"puff--"

A soft sound, like a candle going out.

The countless phantoms vanished before his finger, as if they had never existed.

Ning Daoqi's body trembled violently, and he staggered back a step, crushing several bluestone slabs under his foot.

His expression turned into one of deep astonishment and bewilderment.

Even against the Celestial Being Without Limits, it would be impossible to defeat him so easily.

Suddenly, he understood.

His opponent saw through the flaws in his eight-pounce freehand moves, and was able to break through his techniques and power, which is why he was able to achieve such power!

He immediately examined his own pure Taoist true energy, and found it to be as docile as a sleeping stream, unable to be stirred up in the slightest.

It wasn't suppressed, but rather "pacified"!

The true energy that the opponent just unleashed was the essence of carefree inaction, enough to affect his true essence.

Ning Sanren even suspected that Zhou Yi was a Taoist Qi cultivator specializing in the Nanhua Sutra, otherwise he would never have reached such a level, and could suppress his Eight-Strike Scattered Hand technique to such an extent.

"Did the Celestial Master master the *Zhuangzi*?"

Ning Daoqi couldn't help but ask.

"I only have a slight understanding."

Zhou Yi slowly withdrew his finger and smiled calmly:
"The essence of the Eight Pounces lies in the word 'emptiness,' for emptiness can generate energy, hence emptiness is infinite, and purity leads to emptiness. However, Fellow Daoist Ning is overly attached to this, ultimately being bound by form. Whether it's the Eight Pounces or the Single Pounce, it still lacks the state of effortless action and natural harmony."

He looked at Ning Daoqi as he spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, you should learn from many sources, but it would be better to specialize in Daoist scriptures."

These words seemed like a hint, giving Ning Daoqi a glimmer of understanding, but then he realized that they contained a strong sense of admonition.

Yes
Buddhist Zen philosophy and the Cihang Sword Manual.

He longed for freedom, yet was bound by constraints; freedom and inaction became mere empty talk.

A drop of dew, which had been accumulating for a long time, finally fell from the highest leaf and landed right on his forehead, leaving a cold sensation.

Thinking of everything that had happened before, Ning Daoqi clasped his hands in a gesture of apology and said, "Master, you are right. I have learned a lot."

A ray of morning sunlight pierced through the branches and leaves of the ancient trees, illuminating Zhou Yi. His white clothes were tinged with gold, creating a radiant scene. At that moment, looking up at the sky, one could see the east already turning white.
……

(End of this chapter)