Martial Arts Crossover: My Master is Huang Rong

"Okay, I will definitely keep it close to my body." His tone was gentle and his attitude was close, with a kind of brotherly doting. "Senior sister, you must listen to your master and master at home and practice your skills well. When I come back, we can spar again."

Guo Jing, standing to the side, wore a look of satisfaction and approval. He was unaware of Lin Xuan's true purpose for this trip, assuming he had achieved mastery of martial arts and wanted to travel the world to broaden his horizons. His imposing frame appeared exceptionally tall at this moment, and he patted Lin Xuan's shoulder heavily, his voice booming like a bell:

"Xuan'er! You are young, and although your martial arts are superb, this is your first time venturing into the martial world alone. You must be extra careful in everything you do. The martial world is vast, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Remember to uphold righteousness, act chivalrously, and refrain from going astray!" He laughed heartily, his boldness and sincerity inspiring respect. "Your master is here, waiting for your return from your travels. Then we'll drink three hundred cups together!"

"Thank you for your teachings, Master. I will keep them in mind." Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, demonstrating the utmost courtesy expected of a junior.

Guo Jing seemed to remember something, his brows furrowing slightly. He then said, "Oh, right, Xuan'er, there's something else. My Guo'er has been unruly since childhood. Now that he's joined the Quanzhen Sect, I wonder how he's doing. The Quanzhen Sect has strict rules, and I'm afraid his wild nature might cause him some trouble. When you travel the world this time, why don't you stop by the Quanzhen Sect on Zhongnan Mountain and check on him for me? If he's having any difficulties, please do your best to help him."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xuan's heart stirred slightly, but he remained calm on the surface and respectfully replied, "Master, rest assured, this disciple will do his best."

Finally, his gaze fell on Huang Rong.

At this moment, Huang Rong had completely shed the charm and tenderness of the previous night. She stood there, elegant, her light-colored dress perfectly accentuating her shapely figure. Her expression was gentle, her gaze soft, like a kind teacher truly caring for her departing disciple. Yet, deep within those clear, watery eyes lay a complex ripple of emotion that only Lin Xuan could decipher.

She looked at Lin Xuan and said softly with deep concern, "Xuan'er, Jiangnan is not like Xiangyang. You are all alone out there, so you must think more about yourself and never be reckless or aggressive." Her voice was full of advice, and every word was full of care. "Keep your money safe and don't flaunt it. Be careful when you stay out at night."

This was like a mother making final preparations for her child's long journey. Her words were meticulous, displaying both the love of an elder and the care of a master, revealing her worry and reluctance to part with Lin Xuan between the lines.

Lin Xuan met her gaze, his understanding immediately clear. He bowed deeply to Huang Rong, performing the proper disciple's salute to his master, and said loudly:

"Disciple Lin Xuan will humbly obey Master's teachings!"

That "Master" was uttered with exceptional loudness and respect, as if responding to her hidden emotions, carrying a profound meaning that only the two of them could understand.

After bidding farewell to Guo Jing's family, Lin Xuan led over the steed that had been prepared beforehand. The black horse, Wuzhui, was exceptionally magnificent, with its entire body jet black and its hooves as white as snow. He mounted it with fluid and graceful movements.

He looked back one last time.

We saw Guo Jing's bold wave, Guo Fu's tearful reluctance, and Huang Rong's gentle gaze, which held an unconcealed longing and reluctance. Her posture remained elegant, but deep within her eyes, there was a subtle, barely perceptible sadness.

He smiled slightly, a smile that carried a hint of confidence, a touch of nonchalance, and a dash of anticipation for the future. Without a trace of lingering attachment, he spurred his horse and called out loudly, "Giddy up!"

With a long neigh, the horse galloped away towards the city gate, leaving only billowing dust in its wake. The sound of hooves faded into the distance, leaving only a trail of dust behind.

The morning sunlight cast his silhouette into a solitary figure, which gradually disappeared beyond the city gate.

The romantic tales of Xiangyang are now a thing of the past.

A wider world and more beauties await him ahead, quietly waiting.

The author says:

Author's note: Thank you to the author "无心恋凡尘" for the generous donation.

Volume One has ended, and the story of Xiangyang temporarily concludes here. The protagonist begins his journey through the martial world. Feel free to discuss your thoughts on the plot.

Volume Two: Wandering the Martial World

Chapter One: Famous Throughout the Martial World

A strong wind blows, and the sound of horses' hooves echoes along the bluestone official road.

Lin Xuan, dressed in ordinary light blue attire, stood tall and straight as he rode his horse at full gallop.

Lin Xuan carried a heavy responsibility on this long journey. His primary objective was to investigate the collusion between Murong Fu and the Mongol Tartars and sever this treacherous secret thread that was harming the country and its people.

At the same time, he was also entrusted by Guo Jing to go to the Quanzhen Sect in Zhongnan Mountain to check on Yang Guo's situation. Of course, he also wanted to take the opportunity to see the legendary Little Dragon Girl, who was said to be untouched by worldly affairs.

The Yin-Yang Supplementing Technique took deep root in his body, perfectly merging with the Nine Yin Manual, transforming him completely. At this moment, the true energy within his body was like a vast ocean, inexhaustible and boundless.

With every gesture, he exuded an indescribable magnetic charm. It was the masculine energy naturally emanating from his body after his cultivation technique had permeated it, which was also an invisible aid to him.

This charm wasn't something he deliberately cultivated, yet it could unconsciously bring a sense of peace to those around him, even inspiring a subtle attachment and subservience. He simply sat there quietly, and it seemed to draw everyone's attention, making women feel favorably towards him and even irresistibly wanting to get closer.

Along the way, he did not deliberately flaunt his wealth, but rather concealed his brilliance, traveling like an ordinary rich young master. However, his very existence was like a magnet, always attracting various gazes and events.

One day, while traveling along a mountain path, the mountain wind howled and the forest was dense. Suddenly, they heard a woman's terrified scream and a man's rude curses coming from ahead, interspersed with the crisp sound of clashing weapons. Lin Xuan reined in his horse, his brows furrowing slightly.

He pushed aside the bushes by the roadside and saw a caravan surrounded by a group of fierce-looking bandits not far ahead. Most of the caravan's guards had already fallen, their blood staining the mountain path.

The leader of the bandits, a burly man with a face full of scars and wielding a steel knife, was grinning as he dragged a young woman off a carriage. The woman's clothes were disheveled, her face pale, and she struggled desperately, but to no avail.

"Let me go! You beasts!" the woman cried out desperately, her eyes filled with despair.

"Hehe, little lady, just give in to me! I promise I'll make you happy!" The bandit leader leered, his steel knife lightly slicing across her neck, the threat unmistakable.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. He didn't draw his sword, nor did he even make a sound. In a flash, he appeared beside the bandit like a ghost, as fast as teleportation.

The bandit leader only felt a blur before his eyes, and before he could react, Lin Xuan's fingertip had already flicked. An invisible burst of energy, like an arrow released from a bow, shot precisely towards the bandit leader's wrist.

"Ah!" The bandit leader felt a numbness in his wrist, followed by a sharp pain. The steel knife in his hand clattered to the ground. He was terrified and hadn't even seen who it was when Lin Xuan casually struck out with his palm.

This palm strike, seemingly effortless, contained the powerful internal force of the Yin-Yang Supplementing Technique, its wind howling and unstoppable.

"Pfft!" The bandit leader was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto a rock several feet away. He coughed up blood, struggled a few times, and then fell silent, clearly beyond saving.

The other bandits were terrified at the sight. They had never seen such bizarre and powerful martial arts before, and were so intimidated that they dared not step forward.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes, and his figure moved like lightning, disappearing among the bandits before they could react. Several muffled groans and the sounds of swords and knives falling to the ground filled the air.

By the time he regained his footing, all the bandits had fallen to the ground, some with a bloodstain on their throats, others with caved-in chests, all dead on the spot, their eyes still filled with disbelief and terror. The mountain path was now only filled with the stench of blood and deathly silence.

The rescued woman and the surviving merchants stared blankly at what had just happened, their eyes filled with shock and gratitude. They had never seen such a remarkable young hero, whose actions were lightning-fast and decisive, yet carried an air of detached calmness.

Lin Xuan didn't say a word, but simply led his horse and continued onward, leaving behind a mess and the astonished and uncertain gazes of the merchants.

After traveling for several more days, Lin Xuan passed through a small village. It was afternoon, and under the big banyan tree at the entrance of the village, a group of children were playing.

Suddenly, a burly man with a fierce face, wielding a wooden stick, rushed over menacingly and began to brutally beat one of the skinny boys, cursing as he did so: "You little brat, you stole my chicken, I'll beat you to death!"

The boy cried loudly after being beaten, and the surrounding children scattered in fear, but no one dared to step forward to stop him. Lin Xuan frowned slightly upon seeing this.

The boy deserved to be punished for stealing a chicken, but the strong man's beating was far too brutal; if no one intervened, the boy might have been beaten to death.

He didn't attack directly, but as he passed by the burly man, he subtly released a trace of his internal energy. That internal energy, like an invisible ripple, instantly enveloped the burly man.

The burly man felt an inexplicable chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The wooden stick in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he could no longer swing it. His whole body stiffened, and he was covered in cold sweat. It was as if some invisible force was choking him, making it difficult to even breathe.

He looked around in terror, but could see nothing. He only felt a powerful pressure enveloping him, which made him submit and all his ferocity vanished.

Lin Xuan merely glanced at him, a chilling killing intent in his eyes. The burly man instantly snapped back to reality, the wooden stick in his hand falling to the ground with a thud.

He was about to beg for mercy when he felt a tightness in his chest, a sharp pain, and his vision went black. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The children around him were stunned, but none of them knew what had happened.

Lin Xuan led his horse away, leaving behind only the burly man lying on the ground and the boy's terrified sobs.

This action, though not intentional, became a testament to his life in the martial arts world.

He arrived at a small town called Qinghe Town. The town was built along the water, with blue bricks and gray tiles, and awning boats moored on the shore, creating a picturesque water town scene.

Lin Xuan settled down in a teahouse, ordered a pot of tea, sat by the window, and listened to the whispers of passersby and the passionate voice of the storyteller in the teahouse.

"...It is said that outside Xiangyang City, there were three thousand elite Mongol wolf riders, who were extremely fierce and left nothing but desolation in their wake! Just when the morale of the soldiers and civilians of Xiangyang was low, a young hero suddenly appeared and turned the tide! He cleverly deployed a strange formation and killed the enemy chieftain amidst the army. Overnight, the three thousand wolf riders were wiped out without a trace!"

The storyteller slammed his hand on the table and stood up, spitting as he spoke, drawing cheers from the audience, and the teahouse was packed.

"What is the name of that young hero? Who is he?" someone asked loudly, their tone filled with longing.

The storyteller stroked his beard and smiled mysteriously, whetting everyone's appetite, before suddenly waving his folding fan and shouting through the roof tiles: "This is Young Master Lin! Known as 'Little Zhuge' Lin Xuan!"

"Young Master Lin, the Little Zhuge! What a fine name! A prodigy of our time!"

"Such a young hero is truly a blessing to our Great Song Dynasty! I've heard that even Master Guo and his wife speak highly of him!"

The teahouse was buzzing with discussion, the atmosphere lively. Lin Xuan picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

He paid for the tea and got up to leave. Just as he reached the entrance of the inn, the innkeeper, who had been indifferent and preoccupied with wiping the counter, suddenly showed a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He hadn't overheard the discussions in the teahouse, but rather Lin Xuan's extraordinary demeanor made him unconsciously feel a sense of pressure, as if the person before him was no ordinary traveler.

The shopkeeper subconsciously put down the rag, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry and awe. He looked at Lin Xuan, who was tall and handsome. Although dressed simply, he possessed an otherworldly air, especially his deep eyes, which seemed to be able to see into people's hearts.

"Young master, are you looking for a place to stay?" The innkeeper's voice lowered unconsciously, tinged with a hint of caution.

Lin Xuan simply nodded slightly and said calmly, "That's right."

"Oh, sir, please come in! Our shop may be small, but it is clean and tidy, and we are sure to satisfy you!" The shopkeeper immediately put on a fawning smile and hurried forward, bowing lower than ever before.

Although he didn't know Lin Xuan's identity, based on his years of experience in the martial arts world, he could sense that the young master in front of him was no ordinary person and exuded an aura that made people dare not be negligent.

He personally and attentively led Lin Xuan to his seat, arranging the best room for him. The room was bright and clean, and elegantly decorated. He even specially served a pot of fine Daughter's Red wine, which was mellow and refreshing, and was the best treasure in the inn.

"Young master, you possess an extraordinary bearing. Judging from your appearance, you are surely a dragon among men, with limitless potential!" The shopkeeper flattered him with a beaming smile. He simply relied on his intuition and the discerning eye of a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person with a martial arts background) to believe that Lin Xuan was either rich or noble, and certainly not an ordinary person.

Lin Xuan simply smiled calmly, raised his cup in return, and said humbly, "Shopkeeper, you flatter me. I am but a wandering knight-errant, seeking only peace and quiet in the martial world."

The more humble he was, the more the shopkeeper felt he possessed an extraordinary air, a humility tinged with unfathomable depth, making him even more deferential. His composure and calmness, so different from his age, made him seem like a sage beyond worldly concerns, or perhaps a disciple of some reclusive master. The shopkeeper secretly speculated that such a person might be a young hero from some major sect, or a scion of some noble family out on a training journey.

Chapter Two: Saving Shuang'er, Affection Levels Soar

In the following days, Lin Xuan's journey through the martial world became a stage for him to uphold justice and fight for the country.

He never blindly saves the world; every action he takes is accompanied by a perfectly calculated plan.

He left Qinghe Town and headed north. This area was near Zhili (present-day Hebei), and the population was relatively sparse.

One afternoon, as he was riding his horse through a mountain valley, he suddenly heard the clash of swords and a woman's scream from ahead.

He reined in his horse and looked in the direction of the sound. He saw a group of burly men dressed in black surrounding several young women in the woods ahead.

These women were all dressed in simple cloth, with delicate features and a unique resilience in their eyes. They were clearly not pampered young ladies from ordinary wealthy families.

Although few in number, they cooperated seamlessly, and despite lacking weapons, they skillfully maneuvered to outmaneuver their enemies. However, ultimately outnumbered, they found themselves in grave danger.

What caught Lin Xuan's attention the most was a girl who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old. She was agile and graceful, with delicate features and eyes that, when they sparkled, carried a touch of the gentle charm of the Jiangnan water towns.

She was slender yet graceful, and beneath her simple clothes, the delicate curves of a young girl were faintly visible. That purity and resilience were particularly alluring to Lin Xuan.

"You lowly servants, just surrender! Come with us obediently and you'll suffer less!" The leader of the men in black roared with a savage smile, waving his long knife and nearly causing the girl to fall.

Lin Xuan reined in his horse, his gaze cold. He could tell that these men in black were no ordinary bandits; their fighting style had some military characteristics, and their purpose was clear—they seemed to be after these women.

He urged his horse forward, not accelerating, but slowly approaching. The sound of hooves was particularly clear in the remote mountain valley, causing the man in black to turn around warily.

"Who are you, you scoundrel, daring to commit evil in broad daylight?" Lin Xuan's voice was not loud, but it carried an imposing and authoritative air.

Like a gentle mountain breeze, it brushed past softly, yet carried an undeniable power, instantly overwhelming the clamor of the men in black.

The leader of the men in black saw that Lin Xuan was alone on horseback. Although he had an extraordinary demeanor, he was unarmed and appeared too refined, so they did not take him seriously.

He spat and cursed viciously, "Where did this brat come from? If you know what's good for you, get lost! Mind your own business or you'll lose your life!" He clearly didn't take Lin Xuan, who looked like a weak and scholarly young master, seriously.

Lin Xuan ignored his rudeness. He calmly and slowly dismounted from his horse, as if he were not facing a group of fierce bandits, but rather taking a leisurely stroll.

He enjoyed the feeling of being in control, and the transformation of the other party from contempt to fear.

Just as the man in black swung his knife, Lin Xuan slightly turned his body, seemingly casually, but in reality, he used the exquisite footwork of the Nine Yin Manual to avoid the blade.

At the same time, with a flick of his finger, the steel knife in the black-clad man's hand flew out with a clang and embedded itself in the trunk of a tree several feet away, the hilt still trembling.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Xuan casually flicked his wrist, tossing the reins toward another man in black who was standing there dumbfounded, terrified by this unpredictable scene.

"Hold the horse steady for me, don't get it dirty," Lin Xuan instructed casually, his tone as natural as if he were speaking to a familiar groom, carrying an unquestionable sense of command.

The henchman was completely stunned by his imposing manner and the sudden, bizarre scene. He inexplicably took the reins and stood there dumbfounded.

Even when the horse nuzzled comfortably against his clothes, he didn't dare make a sound. This bizarre scene stunned the leader of the men in black and his other accomplices.

They had expected Lin Xuan to make a move, but he acted so unusually, as if he didn't take them seriously at all. His composure and calmness sent chills down their spines.

Lin Xuan sneered inwardly; this was how one establishes authority. The more unexpected the move, the more intimidating it would be.

The eldest woman, who was the leader of the rescued women, suddenly narrowed her eyes the moment Lin Xuan made his move.

She had encountered many martial arts masters, but never one so unpredictable and enigmatic. She stared intently at Lin Xuan's retreating figure, her mind racing with incredible rumors.

"Such skill!" The leader of the men in black's expression changed drastically, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain calm. "You... who exactly are you? State your name!" He attempted to test him using the rules of the martial arts world.

Lin Xuan had his back to him, as if he were brushing dust off his clothes. He didn't answer directly.

He turned around calmly, his gaze falling on the group of women, especially the pretty young girl. He enjoyed the feeling of being looked up to, especially by a beautiful woman.

In that tense moment, behind him, the rescued girl's clear eyes were fixed on his every move.

Lin Xuan's otherworldly composure and unfathomable martial arts skills gave her a sense of awe and security she had never felt before, despite her many hardships.

She had heard others mention that a young hero had recently emerged in the martial arts world, possessing both wisdom and courage, and extraordinary abilities, who had performed remarkable feats in Xiangyang City.

His name and his style of doing things vaguely overlapped with the young man in front of her.

She saw that he was simply dressed, yet possessed an extraordinary air; she saw that although he was young, his martial arts skills were unfathomable, and he intimidated the assembled heroes without uttering a word. How similar this was to those legendary tales of martial arts heroes passed down by word of mouth!

"He...he is Young Master Lin!" The girl couldn't suppress her shock and joy and couldn't help but whisper it out.

Though her voice was soft, it carried an unbelievable certainty: "The...Little Zhuge Lin Xuan of Xiangyang City." Her eyes shone with longing, her admiration beyond measure.

Although the girl's words were not loud, they were like a bolt from the blue, instantly exploding in the minds of the leader of the men in black and all the men in black!