Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 52 The Song of the Wind - Ding the Benevolent (Part 2)
With a slight sway of her white dress, Dugu Feng floated down beside him.

They looked at him as if he were a monster.

"actually."

Her thoughts jumped around: "Actually, you're a Turk?"

“No,” Zhou Yi shook his head, “a person from the Great Sui Dynasty in the East.”

Dugu Feng was obviously joking, and then said:
"If your skills were a little higher, perhaps one day in the future, when the Western Turks see you, they will regard you as Commander Yun."

"However, you'll need to change into a white robe first."

Zhou Yi asked, "Why?"

The girl tilted her head slightly: "Because there is a folk song in the northern grasslands."

"It is said that Commander Yun used his full lightness skill to run, and his white robe passed through the wind."

"Because it is so fast, the wind is torn apart and will whimper around him, thus producing a wonderful and moving sound, like an ancient northern desert ballad."

“Is that so?” Zhou Yi took out the parchment scroll.

Dugu Feng also looked at the parchment scroll: "I've only heard about it, I've never actually seen Commander Yun."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh and ask, "You want to hear it?"

Dugu Feng said, "I'm just a little curious."

Zhou Yi casually said, "That's easy. When I've mastered my lightness skill, I'll let you hear some ancient songs from the Western Turks."

The girl was quite happy, her eyes crinkling as she smiled and said, "Okay."

"I wonder when you will reach the level of General Yun. He is a martial arts master from Persia."

Asked again:
"Have you opened up the Yongquan and Rangu acupoints?"

Zhou Yi didn't hide anything: "No."

Dugu Feng said leisurely, "Alright, I'll assume you have the 'Taiping Hongbao'."

Zhou Yi was very generous: "If you want to learn Taiping Hongbao, I can teach you, but you must start by practicing the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, one of the twelve primary meridians."

"Forget it, let's go find Emperor Ding and ask about the Demon Seed Technique of the Heart."

Dugu Feng smiled and then told him another trick:
"The opening of the Qi points is related to the spirit. When your skill is deep enough, you can naturally feel the wind gaps hidden in the acupoints by keeping your essence, energy and spirit at their peak."

"Inject true qi into the gaps in the air. Over time, the orifices will be filled with true qi, which will then expand and burst outwards."

"This process is called Qi release."

"As I said before, the force of the palm strike and the sword energy all come after the energy is released."

After listening, Zhou Yi pondered for a long time.

He then cupped his hands in thanks to the girl before him and said earnestly, "Thank you."

Dugu Feng stood with her hands behind her back, accepting the offer with pleasure.

The methods used by martial arts practitioners to open acupoints from ordinary points to vital energy points vary. The method she was referring to was actually passed down from her grandmother.

The nearly 100-year-old man from the Dugu family not only possessed extraordinary insight but was also a practitioner of the Twelve Primary Meridians.

Her approach not only incorporates the Dugu family's philosophy of transcending the mundane world, but also perfectly aligns with Zhou Yi's current situation.

Zhou Yi was initially feeling his way across the river, but what about now?

The water is clear now.

Dugu Feng touched his chest and suddenly looked dejected.

"I lost something, and I was going to give it to you."

Zhou Yi asked, "What is it?"

The girl chose to keep it a secret: "I'll tell you next time."

Zhou Yi understood the unspoken meaning: "You're leaving?"

"The matter in Ruyang is not yet finished, so of course I have to leave."

Zhou Yi remained silent for a moment.

The girl covered her mouth and chuckled. She noticed a large ship floating down the river and, before leaving, teased him, "What, you don't want me to leave, Little Celestial Master Zhou?"

She had barely finished speaking when she didn't give Zhou Yi a chance to reply.

A white shadow flashed, riding the Azure Sky and Red Dust, traversing more than five zhang, and lightly landed on the side of the large ship.

That moment.

The martial arts practitioners on the boat were all terrified and scattered in all directions.

Dugu Feng, hand on her longsword, once again transformed into the aloof beauty of the Dugu family. Without uttering a word, her icy demeanor was enough to keep anyone at a distance.
Watching the large ship sail away, Zhou Yi did not linger and returned to Shangcai City.

First, go to a clothing store to buy a ready-made outfit, then find a relatively quiet inn to stay at.

I can't wear the white clothes I'm wearing for now. This place isn't far from the mass grave, so I need to avoid attracting the attention of Old Monster Ding.

Upon arriving at the inn, we first put a few things away.

Zhou Yi glanced at "Overlord Fire Gang".

The systems are different, so he's not suitable to train with them for the time being.

But it's perfect for training the muscular men of the Taiping Dao!

By the way, Lao Dan also cultivates both internal and external skills; I wonder if he would be interested in this method.

There is also a diagram of Qi circulation, which was recorded on the Ding Emperor's stele. It is speculated that it is a chapter from the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Method.

However, this thing is still incomplete; we'll study it again once things settle down.

Zhou Yi kept the parchment scroll close to his body.

This "Amazing Cloud Divine Travel" technique is extraordinary, and it suits him perfectly. Even after just a preliminary exploration, it has significantly improved his original, meager lightness skill.

As for why Emperor Ding collected this skill, he had a guess after listening to Little Phoenix's explanation.

"Before controlling demons, one must first cultivate the Dao body, establishing one's own Dao body and Dao heart through the orthodox teachings of the Xuanmen. Then, one must condense essence, energy, and spirit, ignite Dao power, and obtain the Yang within Yin."

These are the inscriptions on the stone tablet.

The key point is "Yang within Yin," which, according to one level of Taoist understanding, is similar to "fire arising from water."

Although Zhou Yi had not seen the specific techniques of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, he knew the common knowledge.

This secret requires planting a demon within the body and mind of the Dao, which is equivalent to "fire erupting from water".

The foundation of Jingyun Shenyou lies in the Yongquan and Rangu acupoints, one water and one fire, and the water comes first and then the fire. Doesn't this correspond to planting a demon in the heart of the Dao?
That is why Emperor Ding took it seriously.

"The origin of the Xuanzhen Temple Collection is mysterious; I don't know how my master obtained it."

"This skill must be related to the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, otherwise it wouldn't be such a coincidence, especially since the annotation is exactly the same as what the demonic sect's predecessor left behind."

Zhou Yi pondered this over and over, and really wanted to ask his master for advice.

But
After that letter from Fuzishan, there was no further news of Master Jiaowuzi.

He took out the letter from home again and looked at it.

Nanyang, Wolonggang.

Although there are many sects and factions in this area, they are able to avoid the flames of war.

Because the major sects and temples in Nanyang are quite powerful, they rely on their numbers to their advantage.

The vast majority of rebel kings tried to win them over.

That's something worth examining closely.

If it's appropriate, we'll summon Lao Dan, Xia Shu, Yan Qiu, and the others to establish the Taiping Dao Temple again.

Zhou Yi's gaze was intense as he looked towards Nanyang.
……

It was the third day after Emperor Ding's coffin was stolen.

Zhou Yi went to a paper shop in Shangcai City to buy envelopes and hemp paper. He then inquired with some martial arts figures and found the branch of the Giant Kun Gang.

It was an ordinary street shop, ostensibly selling folding fans and oil-paper umbrellas.

Business is very slow.

Compared to the Yongqiu branch, the Shangcai branch of the Giant Kun Gang is considered quite high-profile.

As soon as Zhou Yi reached the door, the shopkeeper inside greeted him, and he immediately took out a small wooden plaque.

It was given to me by the old man from the Yongqiu branch.

"Dignified guest!"

Upon closer inspection of the wooden plaque in his hand, the shopkeeper, a man in his forties, immediately adopted a respectful expression.

He looked Zhou Yi up and down, but he couldn't be as familiar with him as the local spies from Yongqiu, and he couldn't tell Zhou Yi's true identity.

Do you have pen and ink?

"How can a place that sells information be without the Four Treasures of the Study?" the shopkeeper said with a smile. "Are you planning to write and send a letter?"

Are you interested in this business?

“Yes, yes, our people are always on the go, carrying letters is just a side job.”

The shopkeeper was extremely kind: "If you are a distinguished guest like yourself who holds a local brand, just send a message and we will arrange it as an urgent matter."

“If it’s not too far, you can come back and ask in a month, and they will let you know if it has been delivered. If they reply, they will also bring it back to you.”

Letters could also be sent from government offices within the city.

However, is it right for government messengers to deliver messages to major rebels?
A force like the Giant Kun Gang is more reliable; Zhou Yi has cooperated with them before. "Where do you want it delivered to?"

"Yang Gu".

The shopkeeper nodded, smiled, and held up three fingers: "Three hundred coins. If you don't have a cloud token, it'll be at least five hundred coins."

It's so dark, so incredibly dark!

"send."

Zhou Yi didn't haggle, and this confidence came from Emperor Ding.

The shopkeeper smiled and led him into the inner room, where he brought him pen and ink.

The letter was sent to the Cao family. Although the Giant Kun Gang was more reliable than the government, one should always be wary of others, so the contents of the letter were written in a more cryptic manner.

The two young Taoist boys and Shan Xiongxin saw it and were able to understand it.

After writing it, seal it and hand it to the shopkeeper.

"Do you have a branch in Nanyang?"

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, then, considering Zhou Yi's VIP status, said, "Yes, but the location is rather remote."

Zhou Yi casually followed up with, "Is it because you've been ostracized by local forces in Nanyang?"

"Not really."

The shopkeeper shook his head and explained, "The largest forces in Nanyang are the three sects, four gangs and one association. There are also many other small sects and factions. They do not discriminate against outside forces."

"Because these forces jointly elected a leader, namely the leader of the Nanyang Gang, the old man Yang Zhen, the Crescent Blade."

"This leader is not only highly respected, but also a very shrewd and cunning person. Once you enter Nanyang, as long as you follow their rules, you will be protected. As a result, the major sects have developed rapidly. For example, the Tiankui Dojo in Nanyang has as many as 10,000 members."

"The leader of Yang Town has gathered the forces of Nanyang into a single force, but he does not expand outwards. Because he is so selfless, no one dares to provoke him easily."

"If you want to do business in Nanyang, that would be excellent."

Zhou Yi was overjoyed and looked forward to Nanyang even more.

Great place!

We, the Way of Peace, are the most law-abiding.

"Then why does your gang choose to operate discreetly in Nanyang?"

The shopkeeper frowned slightly, exchanged a glance with Zhou Yi, and asked in return, "Is our honored guest going to Nanyang?"

Zhou Yi said, "That's right, perhaps I can still cooperate with your gang."

Seeing his attitude, the shopkeeper didn't hold back: "Our gang's main business is in the southeast coastal area, where we have two major rivals, the Water Dragon Society and the Sea Sand Gang."

"The Hai Sha Gang has close ties with two major factions in Nanyang who are involved in the smuggling of salt, which is why they are at odds with us."

"Since the assassination of our previous leader, we have lost our livelihood in the Central Plains. Now, our foundation in Nanyang is far less solid than that of the Hai Sha Gang."

As if worried about being looked down upon by the VIPs, he added:
"However, our Giant Kun Gang mainly deals in information and doesn't need a grand setup. If you want to gather information in Nanyang, our gang is still the best choice."

Zhou Yi offered a way out at the right time: "Of course, I have a very good impression of the Giant Kun Gang."

The shopkeeper grinned, and then Zhou Yi said, "Please tell me the location of the Nanyang branch."

"Okay, I'll write it down for you."

He dipped his brush in ink, wrote down the location, and then blew the ink dry.

Zhou Yi glanced at the note, put it away, and instructed the shopkeeper to send a letter as soon as possible before taking his leave.

I headed straight for the inn after leaving the house, lost in thought the whole way.

If the truth is largely as this person described, then perhaps this is the best place to go right now.

Yangzhen, the leader of Nanyang, rallied various sects to unite against external threats and implemented a strategy of "strengthening the foundation and securing the country."

As long as he has enough influence to command the respect of all sects, he will be perfectly secure in this chaotic world.

If Yongqiu had the same strategic layout as Nanyang, would Yuwen Chengdu have dared to attack Fuzi Mountain?

only.
The name "Taipingdao" was forcibly embellished by Li Mi and his gang. Even if the Nanyang leader was willing to accept it in order to maintain his image, it would probably still arouse the taboo of various forces.

Zhou Yi thought for a moment.

Never make a big show of things before you have a strong enough fist.

'Store up grain, and delay declaring yourself king'

After returning to the inn, Zhou Yi did not set off immediately, but instead practiced the "Soaring Cloud Divine Travel" lightness skill.

Little Phoenix is ​​right.

The twelve meridians are inclined towards various esoteric martial arts, and each acupoint has the potential to be developed into a qi aperture.

Each martial art differs in the types, number, and training methods of its energy channels, making it impossible to count the number of martial arts styles.

This light-body skill trains the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

This meridian is Zhou Yi's fundamental foundation, something he is very familiar with.

In the inn's room numbered "Di", he held a parchment scroll in his hands.

The method clearly requires that the "Yongquan" and "Rangu" acupoints be opened as energy channels in order to master the second level of the method.

Zhou Yi checked several times to make sure he wasn't mistaken.

This lightness skill is very strange; it has no first level.

Startled by the clouds, he wandered into the heavens in four steps.

Only the second, third, and fourth levels have extremely high entry barriers.

The so-called second level refers to the two major water and fire energy points, Yongquan and Rangu.

The third level involves cultivating the Yin Gu and Da He acupoints into Qi channels, which also correspond to the elements of water and fire in the Five Elements theory.

The Yin Gu acupoint is symbolized as a spring flowing into a deep valley. The spring is a gushing spring, and this acupoint is where water from the deep valley converges, representing a great flood.

The Dahe acupoint, with "he" meaning two red dots, represents a great fire.

This third major water-fire combination makes the cultivation method extremely domineering!

If the Western Turkic leader Yun Shuai truly practiced this lightness skill, then it's no wonder he was the number one lightness skill user in the northern desert.

As for the fourth level, it is related to the spirit within the aperture, and can only be touched by extremely subtle innate true qi.

Zhou Yi did not open his Qi gate.

However, Yongquan and Rangu are the foundation of his skills. When the pulse energy and true energy circulate together, he can exert an effect similar to the second level of lightness skill.

Therefore, the parchment scroll contains information related to the second layer.

How to gather and release Qi
Zhou Yi can learn how to operate on the various acupoints of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

This opening of a new world is truly mesmerizing.
Nine days later at noon.

Inside the room numbered Earth, Zhou Yi opened his eyes from meditation, a slight smile on his face.

At this point, he had thoroughly mastered all the techniques of the second level of the Divine Cloud Ascension.

I really have to thank one person these days.

That's right, it's Emperor Ding!

The expenses for food and drink in Shangcai came from Emperor Ding.

The amazing lightness skill he practiced came from Emperor Ding.

Even the four bandits who were chasing after him that day were killed by Emperor Ding.

this.
No doubt about it, he truly is a 'philanthropist Ding'.

As Zhou Yi was reflecting on this, he suddenly heard a commotion on the street below.

There seemed to be the sound of horses' hooves coming from the direction of the city gate.

"What happened outside?"

Zhou Yi went down to the lobby on the first floor and saw the innkeeper running back from the direction of the city gate with an excited look on his face. He called out to him and asked him something.

The man replied while wiping sweat from his brow with a cloth from his shoulder:
"Sir, I don't know the specifics, but I do know that Prefect Zhao of Huaiyang County has arrived with his troops, and I heard that General Zhang's men are also there."

"Which General Zhang?"

The waiter shouted, "It's General Zhang Xutuo, of course!"

Zhou Yi said "oh" and paid the bill at lightning speed.

He ran as fast as he could, and as he heard the commotion in the city growing louder, his pace quickened.

After exiting through the south city gate, they were completely freed from their constraints.

Find the southwest direction, gather your inner energy, and run at full speed.

A green shadow flew across the river, skimming over the grass. If Old Ma came again at this moment, even if he used all his lightness skills, he would only be left behind and eating dust.

According to the Jingyun Divine Travel Method, true qi bursts forth in the Yongquan and Rangu acupoints, stirring true fire in the water, like a thunder dragon emerging from the abyss!
A strong wind blew in my face, and the sound of the wind filled my ears!

Ignoring the depletion of his inner energy, Zhou Yi felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration!
He looked towards Nanyang and a slight smile appeared on his face.

Yang Dalongtou, wielding the crescent blade, please take good care of me!
……

……

PS: Updated two chapters with nearly 7,000 words each, awesome Ye! ('-'*ゞ)

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(End of this chapter)