Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

Chapter 86 Settling In

After Yang Guo finished paying his respects to his master, incense smoke swirled in front of the Sanqing Hall, and the distant sound of bells echoed among the Zhongnan Mountains.

With everything settled, Guo Jing looked at Yang Guo, whose mind had calmed down, and a huge weight was finally lifted from his heart. He immediately bowed to the six Quanzhen disciples and Su Yan to say goodbye, intending to set off down the mountain at once.

He was concerned about the state of the world and did not want to linger in Zhongnan Mountain. He only wanted to finish entrusting Yang Guo with his cultivation matters before continuing his journey.

Unexpectedly, Ma Yu immediately raised his hand to stop him, his face showing a sincere plea to stay.

"Jing'er, please wait a moment. You've traveled a long and dusty journey. Why not stay at Chongyang Palace for a few days to rest and spend more time with Guo'er before setting off?"

Qiu Chuji also offered his advice.

"Yes, Jing'er, it's a rare opportunity for you to climb Zhongnan Mountain, why rush back and forth? Why not stay in the palace for a few days?"

The other real people also spoke up to persuade him to stay, their words sincere and earnest.

Seeing that everyone was so enthusiastic, Guo Jing thought about how Yang Guo had just become a disciple and he really needed to give him some advice. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded in agreement.

"Since you Taoist masters have extended such a kind invitation, then I will trouble you for a few days."

Everyone was delighted to hear this.

Afterwards, the six disciples of Quanzhen Sect dispersed to handle their respective sect affairs, while Su Yan took Yang Guo to the Jing She in the back mountain to settle down. Along the way, Su Yan carefully explained to Yang Guo the layout of the Chongyang Palace, the sect rules and etiquette, and the daily practice routine.

When Yang Guo first entered the Quanzhen Sect, his eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation. He obediently followed behind the two, silently memorizing everything.

After everyone else had left, Ma Yu sent a servant to prepare some tea and invited Guo Jing to sit quietly in the side hall next to the Sanqing Hall.

It was the height of summer, and the sweltering heat of July enveloped the Zhongnan Mountains. Outside the palace, the trees were lush and verdant, the cicadas chirping incessantly, and a mountain breeze carried the fragrance of the forest plants through the corridors. Inside the side hall, the windows were bright and the tables were clean, the incense burner wafted gently, and two cups of tea, with their faint steam rising, dispelled the summer heat and created a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

The two sat down facing each other and first chatted about cultivation and trivial matters in the martial world. Before long, they naturally started talking about the current state of affairs in the world.

Ma Yu took a sip of tea, a hint of worry appearing between her brows, and slowly began to speak.

"Now the Mongols are powerful and invade the south every year, gradually encroaching on the northern border of the Song Dynasty. Wherever they go, they burn, kill, and plunder, leaving the people displaced. The border war is becoming increasingly intense, and the people of the Central Plains are suffering from the chaos of war. It is truly heartbreaking."

Upon hearing this, Guo Jing's expression turned solemn. He sighed deeply, his eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.

"What the Taoist priest says is absolutely right. The Mongol cavalry is now ambitious and no longer satisfied with occupying the northern desert. They are determined to crush the Song Dynasty and unify the Central Plains. Xiangyang is the strategic pass through the Jianghan region and is a vital route for the Mongols to advance south. Once Xiangyang falls, there will be no natural defenses left in Jiangnan, and hundreds of millions of people will fall into the flames of war."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more indignant.

"But the Southern Song court was incompetent and corrupt. The civil officials in the court were complacent and only thought about maintaining peace in the south and paying tribute. Most of the military generals on the border were afraid of the enemy and unwilling to make proper defenses. They only knew how to exploit the people and line their own pockets. The court could not be relied on, and the people of the world could only find their own way to survive."

"My wife Huang Rong and I have already discussed it and will soon be stationed in Xiangyang. As the leader of the Beggars' Sect, Rong'er has disciples all over the country."

From both the north and south, many chivalrous figures from the martial arts world are willing to follow us. We plan to use the power of the martial arts world to gather heroes, unite our followers, and station ourselves in Xiangyang to defend the city, filling the void left by the inaction of the imperial court, and fighting to the death to safeguard this gateway to the Central Plains.

Ma Yu listened quietly, his expression growing increasingly solemn. After a long while, he slowly nodded, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Jing'er and Rong'er have the common people at heart and are willing to risk their lives to defend Xiangyang. Their chivalrous spirit is rare in this world."

He pondered for a moment, then solemnly made a promise to the Quanzhen Sect.

"Our Quanzhen School was founded on Zhongnan Mountain with the original intention of protecting all living beings and upholding the righteous path. We are by no means a side branch of the Daoist sect that hides in the mountains and cultivates itself in seclusion. When Patriarch Chongyang was born in a chaotic world, he abandoned literature for martial arts and founded the Quanzhen School, precisely to help those in distress and to stabilize the chaotic world. Now that the country is in turmoil and people are suffering, how can our Quanzhen School sit idly by?"

"I have decided to select elite disciples from my sect in batches to go to Xiangyang to assist in its defense and deployment. They will be at your and Rong'er's command, and together with the righteous warriors of the martial world, they will defend the city and fight against the Mongol cavalry. This is my humble contribution as a disciple of the Xuanmen sect, and it will be a way to live up to the legacy of our founder and the people of the world."

Upon hearing this, Guo Jing was startled and his expression changed. He immediately stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Many thanks to Master Ma for his profound understanding and righteousness! With the assistance of the Quanzhen disciples, the defenses of Xiangyang are now much stronger, and the people of the world enjoy greater peace of mind. On behalf of the people of Xiangyang, I, Guo, thank you for your great kindness, Master Ma and the Quanzhen Sect!"

Ma Yu quickly helped him up, waved her hand, and her eyes filled with reminiscence and emotion.

"No need for thanks. We cultivate the Tao, not only our body and mind, but also our hearts and minds, and our benevolence towards our country. Thinking back to the time when Patriarch Chongyang witnessed the chaos and devastation of the world, he wholeheartedly wanted to quell the war and settle the refugees, but unfortunately, his ambition was not fulfilled. Now the situation is as chaotic as before, and we, his descendants, should carry on the legacy of our ancestor. We will not retreat to the mountains to avoid the world, but will instead enter the world to face difficulties, guard our land, and protect our people."

The two sat down for a long talk in the side hall, discussing everything from the Mongol troop deployment and the defenses of Xiangyang to the interplay between various martial arts factions and the disciples of Quanzhen Sect.

They discussed the rotation of personnel and the hardships of the common people and the malpractices of the court. The more they talked, the more they found common ground, as they were all people who cared about their country and its people.

Outside the hall, the cicadas continued to chirp, and the mountain breeze blew gently. The sweltering heat of July could not conceal the deep sense of patriotism and duty that filled the two men's hearts.

Meanwhile, Su Yan had led Yang Guo through the bamboo path behind Chongyang Palace to their courtyard. Although Yang Guo should have lived with the other disciples since he had just joined the sect, there were still vacant rooms in the Sutra Repository, so it would be convenient for him to stay there and for teaching him on a daily basis.

"From now on, you will live here. I will live in the middle room, your senior sister will live on the left, and you will live in the empty room on the right."

Su Yan pushed open the courtyard gate, stepped aside to let Yang Guo into the house, and said in a serious tone, "By the way, it's a good opportunity to meet your senior sister."

Yang Guo stepped into the courtyard, curiously looking around. His bright eyes darted around, and he secretly touched the stone table in the courtyard with his fingers. Then he looked at the mountain scenery outside the window, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. He was obviously very satisfied with this place.

At this moment, Su Ye came out of the house, carrying a basin of freshly brewed iced tea. When she saw Su Yan, her originally cold and aloof expression softened instantly, and she said softly.

"Brother Yan, the tea is ready."

Su Yan nodded and turned to introduce Yang Guo.

"Yang Guo, this is Su Ye. She joined the sect earlier than you and is your senior sister. She has a solid foundation in martial arts and is already a first-class martial artist. If you have any questions about your cultivation in the future, you can ask her for guidance. You can also ask her if you have any questions about the sect rules and etiquette."

Then he introduced Yang Guo.

"This is Yang Guo, your junior brother. Keep a close eye on him in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guo was secretly astonished. A first-rate martial artist? He had heard Guo Fu and others boast that this was the level of Guo Fu's aunt. This girl looked no older than him, but he never expected her to be so powerful.

He immediately abandoned his mischievous behavior, bowed deeply to Su Ye, and spoke as sweetly as if he had been coated with honey.

"Disciple Yang Guo greets Senior Sister! I hope you will guide me in the future. If I do anything wrong, please feel free to scold or punish me; I will have no complaints!"

His eyes sparkled as he spoke, and a charming smile played on his lips. He was handsome and well-behaved; anyone else would have been instantly smitten.

Su Ye merely glanced at him indifferently, her tone still cold. She hummed a single "hmm" from her nose, placed the cool tea on the stone table, and turned to Su Yan.

"Brother Yan, the house is all tidied up. I'll go tidy up his room."

After saying that, he went to tidy up the house that had been uninhabited for a long time.

From beginning to end, her gaze towards Yang Guo was somewhat distant, as if she didn't care about this newly joined junior brother at all.

Yang Guo was rebuffed, but he was not discouraged. Instead, he moved closer to Su Yan, blinked, and whispered.

"Master, why does Senior Sister call you Brother Yan instead of Master?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yan raised her hand and gently tapped his forehead.

"You'll find out later. Go and help your senior sister tidy up your room."

During dinner, after the two were seated, Su Yan began to carefully set out the rules for Yang Guo's cultivation, each one clear and unambiguous.

"Starting tomorrow, you must get up at 3 AM every day and practice Qigong in the courtyard for an hour. You are not allowed to stay in bed. At 7 AM, you will recite the Tao Te Ching and the Xuanmen morning altar exercises to distinguish right from wrong and calm your mind. At 11 PM, you will practice swordsmanship, and your senior sister will guide you. At dusk, you will review what you have learned that day. If there are any omissions, you will need to practice for an extra hour. That's about it."

He paused, his gaze growing increasingly serious.

"In my sect, the most serious taboos in cultivation are laziness, shirking responsibility, and impatience. You must practice in the coldest winter and hottest summer, regardless of the severe cold or scorching heat, and you must persevere without the slightest slackening. In addition, you must memorize the rules of the Quanzhen Sect. You must not bully the weak, collude with evil people, or divulge sect secrets. If you violate these rules, you will be punished by kneeling and reflecting on your mistakes at the very least, and at worst, you will be expelled from the sect and your sect will be expelled."

Yang Guo nodded repeatedly. Although the rules were strict, he did not back down in the slightest. Instead, his eyes shone as he patted his chest and made a promise.

"Master, rest assured! This disciple has remembered everything! Not to mention getting up at dawn, even if it's the third watch of the night to practice Qi, this disciple will never slack off!"