Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Brother Jing, let's get a divorce.

Chongyang Palace, side hall of the Sanqing Hall.

The night rain was misty and dreary, tapping against the windowpane with a crackling sound.

The flickering candlelight inside cast long and short shadows on the two figures.

"Sect Leader! You must do justice for your disciple!"

Zhao Zhijing knelt on the prayer mat, tears streaming down his face. His upper body was naked, and the slender yet deep palm print on his chest was shocking, with the surrounding flesh displaying an eerie bluish-purple hue.

Qiu Chuji paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. His hair and beard were all white, his Taoist robe fluttered slightly in the wind, and his weathered face was shrouded in gloom.

"Wailing and sobbing, what kind of behavior is this!" Qiu Chuji suddenly stopped and shouted sternly, "You are the head of the third-generation disciples, and now you have been beaten like this by a junior disciple who has not been a disciple for long, and you still have the nerve to come here and cry?"

Zhao Zhijing trembled, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, leaving only a face full of grievance.

"My master is right. I am unskilled and have disgraced the Quanzhen Sect." Zhao Zhijing kowtowed, his voice choked with emotion. "But it is not because I am incompetent, it is simply that Yang Guo... that Yang Guo is too wicked!"

"Strange?" Qiu Chuji frowned. "How so?"

"That little beast... no, that Yang Guo, I don't know where he learned those unorthodox martial arts techniques," Zhao Zhijing said, raising his head and embellishing the story. "His single finger strike could shatter the fine steel sword in my disciple's hand. And... and he even colluded with that demoness in the Ancient Tomb!"

Mentioning the "demoness" made Qiu Chuji's expression even more unpleasant.

The Quanzhen Sect and the Ancient Tomb Sect live next to each other, and although they generally keep to themselves, the rules established by their founder, Chongyang, still apply. If a Quanzhen disciple has any dealings with a woman from the Ancient Tomb Sect, it is a grave taboo.

"You mean, Yang Guo and that woman surnamed Long..."

"Absolutely true!" Zhao Zhijing gritted his teeth. "Today in the back mountain, hundreds of eyes witnessed it. Yang Guo, to protect that demoness, didn't hesitate to kill his fellow disciples. Later, when the demoness appeared, the two of them were hugging and embracing in public, their intimacy... it was simply unbearable to watch! Rumors are circulating that Yang Guo has already joined the Ancient Tomb Sect, becoming that demoness's lover, and even got her pregnant!"

"You bastard!"

Qiu Chuji slammed his palm on the mahogany tea table beside him.

The hard wooden table instantly turned into dust.

Qiu Chuji's chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that he was genuinely enraged.

Throughout his life, he valued his reputation above all else. The fact that he hadn't properly raised Yang Kang, leading Yang Kang to recognize a traitor as his father and ultimately die tragically at the Iron Spear Temple, remained a thorn in his side.

Now that they have finally found Yang Kang's posthumous son, they originally intended to teach him well and guide him onto the right path to comfort Yang Kang's spirit in heaven.

Who would have thought that Yang Guo would be even more absurd than his father!

"Deceiving one's master and ancestors, colluding with a witch, disgracing the family..." Qiu Chuji muttered to himself, his eyes filled with regret and anger. "Am I, Qiu Chuji, destined to never teach a good disciple or grand-disciple?"

Seeing that the time was right, Zhao Zhijing was secretly pleased, but on the surface he wore a pained expression: "Sect Leader, if Yang Guo's behavior is not severely punished, how can our Quanzhen Sect maintain its standing in the martial world? I beg you, Sect Leader, to clean house and set an example!"

Qiu Chuji closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly."

Although he was hot-tempered, he wasn't a fool. He had heard some things about Zhao Zhijing's character. He would have to see how much of what he said was true and how much was false to find out.

"You should step back and recuperate," Qiu Chuji said, waving his hand wearily.

Zhao Zhijing dared not say anything more and respectfully withdrew.

After Zhao Zhijing left, Qiu Chuji stared at the dark night outside the window, remaining motionless for a long time.

"Guo'er..."

That night, Qiu Chuji did not sleep a wink.

……

The next morning.

After the rain, the air in Zhongnan Mountain was fresh and fragrant with the scent of earth.

Forbidden area in the back mountain.

This is where Wang Chongyang secluded himself to comprehend the Dao, and very few people usually set foot here.

Yang Guo, dressed in a coarse Taoist robe, was squatting in front of a pile of rubble.

This pile of rubble is the very stone tablet that he shattered with a single palm strike a few days ago.

He held a broom in his hand, sweeping the fallen leaves around him in a half-hearted manner. He seemed to be working, but in reality, he was listening very carefully to the sounds around him.

He knew that after yesterday's commotion, the "big shots" on the Quanzhen Sect's side would definitely be restless.

Zhao Zhijing's mouth certainly can't produce ivory.

Rather than waiting to die, it's better to wait patiently for a windfall.

This broken stone tablet was the gift he prepared for the "big shot" who was about to arrive.

"Shhh..."

A soft footstep sound came from behind.

Master.

Yang Guo's lips curled up slightly, but he immediately composed himself and adopted a focused, even somewhat devout, expression as he took a broom and gently brushed away the dust from the gravel.

The movements were so careful, as if they were polishing some rare treasure.

Qiu Chuji stood ten zhang away, quietly watching this scene.

He had come with a belly full of anger, ready to confront Yang Guo. But seeing Yang Guo's appearance, he swallowed back the rebuke that was on the tip of his tongue.

This child... doesn't seem to be doing anything wrong.

In the morning light, the young man had delicate features and a focused expression. Although his clothes were simple, they could not hide the heroic spirit between his brows. His features were very similar to Yang Kang's in his younger days, but he had a more mature and composed demeanor.

"Guo'er".

Qiu Chuji called out.

Yang Guo froze abruptly, like a startled animal. He turned around in a panic, saw Qiu Chuji, and showed just the right amount of surprise on his face.

"Qiu...Master Qiu?"

Yang Guo dropped the broom, strode forward, and bowed deeply, saying, "Grand-disciple Yang Guo greets Grandmaster!"

Qiu Chuji scrutinized him, his gaze sharp as if trying to see through the young man's heart.

Get up.

Yang Guo stood up as instructed, his hands hanging down, looking obedient.

"Guo'er, do you know your crime?" Qiu Chuji's voice was deep and authoritative.

Yang Guo raised his head, looking bewildered: "My grand-disciple...I don't know what crime I've committed?"

"Hmph! Still dare to argue!" Qiu Chuji sneered. "Zhao Zhijing says you betrayed your master and ancestors, injured your senior uncle, and had an improper relationship with the Ancient Tomb Demoness, disgracing the reputation of my Quanzhen Sect! Is this true?"

Yang Guo sneered inwardly: Just as expected, it was that same old line.

His face showed resentment, and his eyes instantly reddened.

"Grandmaster! Your grand-disciple is innocent!"

Yang Guo knelt down again with a thud, tears streaming down his face: "Uncle-Master Zhao is the one who falsely accused me! It's bad enough that I, your grand-disciple, have suffered all kinds of bullying in the Quanzhen Sect, but Uncle-Master Zhao shouldn't have insulted my late father!"

"Insulting your father?" Qiu Chuji was taken aback.

This is precisely Yang Guo's trump card.

He knew that Qiu Chuji felt guilty towards Yang Kang, and as long as he brought up Yang Kang, the old Taoist priest's heart would soften by half.

"Exactly!" Yang Guo wiped away his tears and said with grief and indignation, "Uncle Zhao has always disliked me and often beats and humiliates me. I joined the sect late, and since Uncle Zhao is an elder, I let him scold me. I thought that once he calmed down, he would let the matter drop. But a few days ago, he called my father a 'bastard who recognizes a thief as his father' and said that my father was a lackey of the Jurchens and deserved to die! I couldn't stand it, so I argued with him for a few words."

Qiu Chuji's expression changed.

Calling Yang Kang "recognizing a thief as one's father" is not only insulting Yang Guo, but also slapping Qiu Chuji in the face! After all, Yang Kang was taught by him.

"As for injuring Uncle-Master Zhao..." Yang Guo sniffed, a bitter smile on his face, "Grandmaster, you are a martial arts master. Do you think I, with my meager skills, could have injured Uncle-Master Zhao? It was clearly Uncle-Master Zhao who wanted to kill me, but... but..."

"What was the result?" Qiu Chuji pressed.

Yang Guo hesitated for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

After a moment, as if he had made up his mind, he raised his head and looked at Qiu Chuji with clear eyes.

"Grandmaster, your grand-disciple dares not deceive you. Your grand-disciple has not learned any unorthodox or heretical methods; what you use is the orthodox and authentic martial art of our Quanzhen Sect!"

"Nonsense!" Qiu Chuji shouted. "Zhao Zhijing said your finger strength is domineering and your swordsmanship is strange, but it's not the Quanzhen style at all!"

Yang Guo did not offer any explanation.

He slowly stood up, walked to the side, and broke off a dry branch.

"Grandmaster, please look."

Yang Guo took a deep breath and focused his energy in his dantian.

Starting stance.

It is not the "raising the sail and raising the oar" or "a small boat" commonly seen in Quanzhen swordplay, but an extremely simple and even somewhat clumsy movement.

The withered branches jut out obliquely, without any frills.

Qiu Chuji frowned slightly. This move... it looks familiar, but he can't remember where he's seen it before.

But the next moment.

Yang Guo flicked his wrist, and the withered branch seemed to come alive.

The originally clumsy moves instantly became skillful in their apparent clumsiness; the dry branches slicing through the air even produced a faint sound of wind and thunder.

This sword strike seeks neither speed nor variation, but only "weight" and "clumsiness".

True skill lies in simplicity, and a heavy sword has no edge.

Although he was holding a withered branch, the sword intent that erupted in that instant was vast and mighty, like a river flowing backwards, upright and righteous!

Qiu Chuji's pupils suddenly contracted.

He was struck dumb, frozen in place as if by lightning.

This sword intent...

That composure...

Although the moves were somewhat clumsy and the internal strength was not deep enough, the artistic conception was clearly the ultimate sword principle created by the patriarch Chongyang in his later years but never passed down!

"This...this is..." Qiu Chuji's voice trembled as he pointed at Yang Guo, unable to speak for a long time.

After Yang Guo finished his sword dance, he stood still, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

He threw the withered branch aside and bowed deeply to Qiu Chuji.

"Grandmaster, this is the sword technique that your grand-disciple used to defend against Uncle Zhao."

Qiu Chuji rushed forward, grabbed Yang Guo's shoulder, and his beard trembled with excitement: "Guo'er! Where did you learn your swordsmanship? Tell me! Tell your grandmaster!"

Wang Chongyang only demonstrated this sword technique once, saying it was too profound and he feared his disciples would be overwhelmed by its complexity, so he didn't teach it to them. Qiu Chuji had always regretted this, but he never expected to see it in a third-generation disciple today!

Yang Guo pointed to the pile of rubble behind him.

"Right here."

"Here?" Qiu Chuji was taken aback, looking at the pile of rubble. "This is..."

"A few days ago, my grand-disciple was punished by my master to come here to repair the forbidden stone tablet." This time, Yang Guo wasn't talking nonsense. "I accidentally discovered that the words carved on the stone tablet actually contained sword techniques."

"The grand-disciple was curious, so he tried to imitate the markings. To his surprise, the more he practiced, the more comfortable he felt, and his internal energy began to circulate. Before he knew it, he had learned a few moves."

Yang Guo sighed, looking regretful: "It's a pity that the stone tablet was shattered and has long since weathered away. As I was practicing, I don't know how, the stone tablet suddenly shattered... Perhaps I was too stupid and failed to grasp its true meaning, instead destroying the treasure left behind by our ancestor."

As he spoke, he put on a pained expression, as if he was waiting to be scolded.

At this moment, Qiu Chuji had no time to scold him.

When Yang Guo and Lu Qingdu fought, they broke the stone tablet. It was Yang Guo who punished Lu Qingdu by making him repair the stone tablet in the forbidden area.

"It's fate...it's fate!"

Qiu Chuji looked up at the sky and sighed deeply, tears streaming down his face.

"Master has appeared! Master has appeared!"

In Taoism, this is called "fate".

This stone tablet has stood here for decades, and the disciples of the Quanzhen Sect occasionally passed by without noticing it. Yet, it was Yang Guo, a novice who had just joined the sect, who discovered it.

And just as he learned how to do it, the stone tablet broke.

What does this tell us?

This means that this sword technique was specially left to Yang Guo by his master!

Qiu Chuji turned around and looked at Yang Guo with loving eyes.

"Guo'er, you are a person with great fortune!" Qiu Chuji patted Yang Guo on the shoulder, filled with emotion. "This sword technique is the essence of my master's lifelong martial arts. You are able to inherit this legacy, which must be due to his spirit in heaven protecting you."

As for what Zhao Zhijing said?

shit!

How could someone who can comprehend the sword intent of Patriarch Chongyang be a person with evil intentions?

That upright spirit cannot be faked!

"Grandmaster, what about Uncle Zhao..." Yang Guo asked cautiously.

"Hmph! That fool!" Qiu Chuji flicked his sleeve, his face full of disdain. "He himself is unskilled and jealous of talent, yet he uses this to slander you. He has utterly disgraced my Quanzhen Sect!"

"Don't worry, Guo'er, your grandmaster will take care of this for you." Qiu Chuji found Yang Guo increasingly pleasing to the eye. "From today onward, you can focus on your cultivation in the back mountains and comprehend the patriarch's sword intent. As for Zhao Zhijing, I will have him confined to his quarters to reflect on his mistakes and will never allow him to disturb your peace again."

Yang Guo felt much more at ease.

We've passed this hurdle.

Not only did they pass, they also found themselves the biggest protective shield.

"Thank you for your kindness, Grandmaster!" Yang Guo bowed respectfully. "However... I have another request."

"Go ahead," Qiu Chuji said, in high spirits.

"My disciple has recently reached a crucial stage in his training and needs some peace and quiet. Could we please not allow outsiders to disturb us for the next few days?" Yang Guo asked tentatively.

He was referring to the full moon night three days later.

Qiu Chuji stroked his beard and smiled: "Of course. Those who cultivate the Dao must avoid being restless and impatient. You may continue your cultivation here in peace. I will give the order that no one is allowed to enter the forbidden area behind the mountain!"

"Thank you, Grandmaster!"

Yang Guo was genuinely happy this time.

With Qiu Chuji's words, it became much more difficult for Yin Zhiping to cause trouble.

He used to come to this forbidden area in the back mountains under the pretense of checking on himself, but now he can only come secretly.

Qiu Chuji offered Yang Guo a few more words of encouragement before leaving, satisfied.

Watching Qiu Chuji's departing figure, Yang Guo's face revealed a sly smile.

"The old man is still easy to fool."

He kicked a pebble on the ground.

"Master Chongyang, I hope you won't mind if I borrow your name. After all, I have done a great job of promoting your unique skills."

Yang Guo stretched and looked in the direction of the ancient tomb.

"Now that the old one's taken care of, next... it's time to deal with the young one."

"Yin Zhiping, see you in four days."

……

at the same time.

Chongyang Palace Pharmacy.

Zhao Zhijing was lying on the bed groaning, waiting for Qiu Chuji to come and "uphold justice" for him.

"Why hasn't Master arrived yet?" Zhao Zhijing asked the young Taoist priest beside him with some impatience.

The young Taoist priest looked at him strangely: "Master Uncle... the Sect Leader just gave a speech."

"What did he say? Is he going to catch that little beast?" Zhao Zhijing sat up excitedly, his wound twitching and he grimaced again.

"No..." The young Taoist priest shrank his neck. "The sect leader said... that you are narrow-minded and jealous of talent, and punished you... punished you to copy the Tao Te Ching three hundred times and confine you to your quarters for three months."

"What?!"

Zhao Zhijing's vision went black, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Why?! I was the one who got injured! Why am I being punished?!"

"The sect leader also said..." the young Taoist's voice trailed off, "that Senior Brother Yang Guo...that he received the true teachings of the patriarch, a great opportunity, and that the entire sect should learn from Senior Brother Yang..."

"puff--"

This time, Zhao Zhijing really really went all out.

His eyes were wide open, staring intently at the ceiling, his mind filled with disbelief.

That little beast...

How did it become the true teachings of the founder?

Is there no justice left in this world?