Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

Chapter 81 Guo Jing Climbs the Mountain

At this time, Chongyang Palace was already enveloped in a tense atmosphere due to the urgent reports over the past half month. The sound of the Mongol cavalry's iron hooves seemed to come from afar across the mountains. The entire sect was on high alert, and even the copper bells at the corners of the palace seemed to be tinged with a murderous aura.

At the foot of Zhongnan Mountain, an ancient stone path winds its way up to the misty Chongyang Palace. A tall, steady figure leads a young boy up the mountain; the man is none other than Guo Jing.

He was dressed in simple clothes, carrying a simple bag, his figure still as imposing as a mountain, his face honest and resolute, yet his brows concealed worry for the safety of the Central Plains. Beside him, Yang Guo, though his clothes were neat, could not hide the unruly and agile spirit in his bones. His pair of dark eyes looked around, full of curiosity about the majestic Zhongnan Mountain and the solemn Taoist temple, yet also carrying a hint of subtle aloofness.

Guo Jing was determined to have Yang Guo join the Quanzhen Sect and learn righteous martial arts so that he wouldn't go astray. Therefore, he went to great lengths to personally send the young man up the mountain.

Upon arriving at the Chongyang Palace gate, he explained his identity to the guards on duty. The guards recognized him as the chivalrous man who had participated in the Mount Hua Sword Tournament years ago, a disciple of the Northern Beggar, who had deep ties with the Quanzhen Sect, and was a highly respected hero in the martial arts world.

The disciples dared not be negligent in the slightest, and immediately bowed and led the way.

"Great Hero Guo, your presence is an honor! I am sorry for not welcoming you sooner! The Sect Leader and several True Immortals are discussing matters in the Sanqing Hall. I have already sent someone to inform them, please wait a moment."

Guo Jing nodded slightly, his tone humble.

"Thank you for your help, fellow disciples."

Before long, the two were led to the outside of the Sanqing Hall.

Inside the Sanqing Hall, Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, and the other six Quanzhen disciples sat upright on futons, discussing strategies to defend against the enemy with solemn expressions. The atmosphere in the hall was so oppressive that it was almost frozen.

Just then, a disciple's voice announced their arrival from outside the hall. A burly and sturdy figure led a young man slowly into the hall; it was Guo Jing who had brought Yang Guo up the mountain.

Ma Yu was the first to look up. Upon seeing who it was, a look of joy appeared on his aged face. He stood up and spoke first, his voice gentle and filled with the loving kindness of an elder.

"Jing'er! It's been so many years. Why aren't you staying on Peach Blossom Island? Why have you suddenly brought your young child to Zhongnan Mountain?"

Qiu Chuji strode forward and grabbed Guo Jing's wrist, his hearty expression revealing his concern.

"Jing'er, we've been waiting for you! This young man has handsome features and looks extraordinary. He must be your child, right?"

'

Guo Jing quickly cupped his hands and bowed, showing the respect of a junior to the six immortals one by one, his tone respectful and humble.

"Master Ma, Master Qiu, and all the other Daoists, Guo Jing has not visited Chongyang Palace for a long time and has been thinking of him constantly. This child is not my own flesh and blood, but the posthumous son of my sworn brother Yang Kang, named Yang Guo. I only recently found him and have been taking care of him with me ever since."

When Yang Kang was mentioned, Guo Jing's tone became somewhat somber, and a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chuji's smile vanished instantly, replaced by deep heartache and disappointment.

Yang Kang was originally a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, but he went astray, recognized a villain as his father, and even helped Ouyang Feng kill five of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. In the end, he met a tragic end, which was a regret he could never let go of in his life.

Upon seeing this, Wang Chuyi sighed softly and asked.

"Jing'er, your martial arts skills have already reached their peak, far surpassing ours. Why don't you personally teach Yang Guo, instead of sending him to my Chongyang Palace?"

Guo Jing looked troubled upon hearing this and told the truth.

"Esteemed Daoist masters, you may not know this, but my martial arts are fierce and domineering, unsuitable for a young man's foundational cultivation. Moreover, I am naturally dull-witted and not good at patient guidance. Furthermore, my master is currently on Peach Blossom Island, and it would be inconvenient for Yang Guo to remain there. After much thought, I believe that only the authentic Xuanmen martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect can teach him to walk the right path and understand the principles of things. Therefore, I have specially brought him up the mountain and earnestly request that you Daoist masters take him in."

Ma Yu, being so perceptive, immediately understood the entanglement involved. He nodded gently and said softly.

"I see. We understand your predicament. Yang Guo seems clever, so it's fine for him to stay at Chongyang Palace to cultivate. However, things haven't been peaceful in Zhongnan Mountain these days. Huo Du and Darba, disciples of the Mongol National Preceptor, are leading three or four hundred elite troops straight here, intending to cause trouble. The entire sect is on guard, so we're afraid we'll have to trouble him to stay here for a few days."

Guo Jing frowned. He had seen the mountain gates tightly closed and the disciples on high alert as soon as he arrived at the mountain. He had been heavily guarded all the way, and now he finally understood the reason. He immediately said in a deep voice.

"I saw the Quanzhen Sect preparing for war along the way, and that was for this very reason. Rest assured, Daoists, now that Guo Jing has gone up the mountain, he will surely join forces with Chongyang Palace to defend against the foreign enemy!"

Qiu Chuji was overjoyed upon hearing this and patted Guo Jing's arm with a smile.

"With your words, Jing'er, we are much more at ease! If my disciple Su Yan were here, we wouldn't need to make such a fuss. That child is exceptionally talented, and his cultivation has already reached the top tier. He has made many contributions to the sect over the years."

"Su Yan?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Guo Jing's eyes, and he said loudly.

"I had already heard of Master Su's reputation in the Xiangyang area. People in the martial arts world all praised him for his superb martial arts skills and upright character. He was a rising star in the Central Plains martial arts world. I never expected that he was Master Qiu's disciple."

Qiu Chuji was overjoyed and stroked his beard with a smile.

"When Su Yan returns, I will definitely introduce you two. You are both talented individuals, and you will surely appreciate each other!"

Before the words were finished, a deafening commotion and shouts of battle suddenly erupted outside the mountain gate. The clashing of weapons and the shouts of disciples pierced the tranquility of Zhongnan Mountain.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader! A Mongol expert has led three to four hundred Mongol warriors to storm the mountain gate. The disciples have formed a battle formation to stop them!"

A disciple on duty stumbled into the hall, his face pale, and loudly reported the news.

Ma Yu immediately waved his whisk and said in a deep voice.

"Quickly take my nephew Yang to the rear palace to rest, and keep him under close guard, lest he be drawn into the battle!"

Two Quanzhen disciples stepped forward and respectfully led the curious Yang Guo to the back hall.

Meanwhile, on the Chongyang Palace square, the Quanzhen disciples were already moving with lightning speed. According to the rules of the Big Dipper Formation, seven people formed a small Big Dipper Formation, and forty-nine people formed a large Big Dipper Formation. A total of one hundred and ninety-six disciples formed four large formations, with the formations interlocking and connected end to end, like an impregnable wall, firmly blocking Huo Du and his group outside the mountain gate. Their sword energy was chilling, and their killing intent was overwhelming.

The six disciples of Quanzhen and Guo Jing strode out of the Sanqing Hall and stood side by side in front of the formation. Guo Jing was dressed in plain clothes, but he was as steady as Mount Tai. His profound internal energy spread out and intimidated the entire audience.

The six Taoist masters, their robes fluttering, circulated their profound inner energy, blending seamlessly with Guo Jing's aura.

Holding an iron-bone fan, Huo Du wore a spotless brocade robe and his handsome face was full of arrogance. Looking at the Quanzhen disciples who were on high alert, he immediately sneered and raised his voice in provocation.

"I have long heard that Chongyang Palace is a sacred place of martial arts in the Central Plains, but I never expected that your hospitality would be like this! We have come to pay our respects on the orders of the Imperial Preceptor, yet you greet us with a battle formation. What is the reason for this?"

Darba, carrying the Vajra pestle, stood beside Huodu, his eyes wide with rage, and roared in a muffled voice.

"Get out of my way! Or I'll tear this gate down today!"

Three or four hundred Mongol warriors lined up on both sides, their scimitars drawn and longbows fully drawn, the cold glint of their weapons reflecting the sunlight, their killing intent soaring to the sky.

Qiu Chuji was by nature fierce, and at this moment his eyes widened in anger, and he rebuked him in a voice as loud as a bell.

"What a fine 'paying visit'! What kind of guest in the world brings three or four hundred armored warriors, armed with sharp blades, to storm the mountain gate? You are clearly using the guise of a visit to commit an invasion and provocation! Our Quanzhen Sect will make this clear today: Zhongnan Mountain is not a place for you Mongol barbarians to run wild. If you don't retreat, don't blame us for being impolite!"

Huo Du's face darkened, and he swished open his paper fan. His sinister gaze swept over Guo Jing and the six Quanzhen disciples as he spoke in a cold voice.

"It seems the Quanzhen Sect is determined to be our enemy. In that case, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

The two sides are locked in a tense standoff, ready to draw their swords.

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