The twenty-third year of Jiajing, the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Xiangyang Prefecture, Yuzhou Province.
Late night.
On both sides of the road, mountains and forests concealed, and the vegetation was withered and yellow.
A heavy snow had fallen a few days ago. Although this place was remote, it was the only way from Xiangyang Prefecture to Chengtian Prefecture, with many merchants and escort passing through. Most of the snow on the roadside had melted, but the snow on the road itself had been compacted by passing travelers and frozen even harder.
It was already nearing the New Year, and late at night, there were no travelers on the road, and it was quiet.
And in the forest on one side of the road, a faint firelight shone through.
Three people dressed as Daoists sat around a bonfire.
An old man was breaking and eating a pancake , while a middle-aged man used a branch to poke the bonfire.
A young man sat cross-legged nearby, as if quietly practicing internal cultivation, but the constant rolling of his eyeballs beneath his eyelids showed he was not in a meditative state at all, merely putting on a show.
After a long while, the middle-aged Daoist spoke.
“Master Zhishēng, are we really walking all the way to Shaolin? Why don’t I carry Limiao, and we use our lightness skill to hurry, we might even arrive before the New Year.”
The old Daoist shook his head.
“Master Xing Chi passed away some time ago, so it’s no longer a matter of timing for us to offer condolences. Since we can’t make it back to Mount Wudang for the New Year anyway, we might as well walk slowly. It’ll be good for tempering Limiao’s character.”
“However, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble Daoist Li Qing, my nephew, to accompany me on this journey for a while.”
The middle-aged Daoist, whose Daoist name was Daoist Li Qing, waved his hands repeatedly, not daring to accept his humble words.
The seniority at Wudang was currently passed down by the phrase “Shī zī yuè yuán guī zhì lǐ, shēn zhōng bào yī guǎn dān chéng” (Teachers' Full Moon Conversion Ceremony，Holding a tube of elixir in the body). This Daoist Zhishēng was one of only two “Zhì-generation” members within the Wudang Sect, and also the only supreme expert besides the Wudang Sect Leader.
Although he was a direct disciple of the Sect Leader, he dared not act presumptuously in front of Master Zhishēng.
Daoist Li Qing turned to look at the young Daoist whose Daoist name was Limiao, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This junior brother Limiao was truly enviable.
As soon as he had established his internal cultivation foundation, a supreme expert was taking him on a journey through the martial world, and even going to Shaolin to show his face. It was clear he was being groomed as the next Sect Leader.
However, he also knew that his own aptitude could never compare to Limiao’s.
Having cultivated for many years, and possessing a gentle nature, he wouldn't let such dark thoughts linger in his mind for too long. He then collected himself and went to cut some more branches to add to the bonfire.
Just as the three were about to rest, they faintly heard human voices coming from the mountain path.
Daoist Li Qing frowned.
It was already Hai Shi (9-11 PM), who would be traveling on this mountain path at such an hour?
Since ancient times, those who acted at night did so to avoid attention, and most were not good people.
Daoist Li Qing scattered the bonfire to prevent its light from being seen. Then he got up to investigate.
“I’ll go with you.”
Master Zhishēng also stood up.
“From the sound, I estimate there are thirty to forty people. And their footsteps are uniform, like soldiers. But soldiers don't march at night.”
“I have some bad suspicions. If it’s truly as I imagine, you might not be able to handle it.”
Daoist Li Qing’s face also darkened.
He was a direct disciple of the Wudang Sect Leader, a seasoned first-rate expert, a renowned figure in the martial world. If even he couldn't handle it, and Master Zhishēng, a supreme expert, had to personally investigate, it was probably not a small matter.
The two held their breath, using the mountain forest to conceal their figures, and approached the mountain path.
Using the moonlight reflected by the snow, the two looked at the group of people.
The leader was unusually tall, his face obscured.
Behind him were thirty-seven people in total, all dressed in tight-fitting clothes, carrying sabers and swords. Some also carried large bags on their backs, and from the bulging marks on them, it was clear they contained weapons. Their formation was neat, and they moved quickly along the mountain path, covering a long distance in a short while.
As he watched, Daoist Li Qing frowned.
“Master, why can’t I understand the martial arts foundation of these people?”
“Their muscles and bones are clearly strong, indicating successful external cultivation. Yet their movements are so stiff, and there’s no footwork to be seen, nor any internal energy circulation. What kind of style is this?”
After he finished speaking, he didn't hear Master Zhishēng’s reply.
Daoist Li Qing was surprised and turned to look at Master Zhishēng.
He was startled.
Master Zhishēng’s face was ashen, his lips tightly pressed together, his eyes fixed on the back of the leader, his hand gripping his sword hilt tightly.
“It’s as I expected… This is a big deal.”
“The leader is a Yang Family member.”
“Yang Family member?”
Daoist Li Qing was confused for a moment, then suddenly reacted, and his face also darkened.
“The Yang Family member of the Ming Cult!?”
Master Zhishēng nodded.
“Looking at his build, an ordinary person would probably only reach his chest. His frame is broad, and his arms almost reach his knees, which are the physical characteristics of the Yang Family. Yang Lixuan from back then was exactly like this, and most of the previous Ming Cult Leaders, except for a few, had such a physique.”
Daoist Li Qing first observed carefully, finding it was exactly as Master Zhishēng said. Then he was puzzled.
“But, ever since Ji Tianrui took control of the Ming Cult thirty years ago, shouldn't the Yang Family have been annihilated? Where did this person come from?”
“I don’t know.”
Master Zhishēng shook his head.
“This place is not suitable for long stay. Let’s go back, pick up Limiao, and return to Wudang.”
The two quietly retreated into the forest, using their lightness skill to return to their resting place.
As they walked, Master Zhishēng said to Daoist Li Qing.
“Since the founding of Great Shuo, the position of Ming Cult Leader has been passed down from father to son, always bearing the surname Yang. These people are inextricably linked to the Ming Cult.”
“What I was thinking before was that after the Ming Cult broke through Shaolin’s mountain gate, their whereabouts were unknown, and perhaps they would flee to this place. Sure enough, these people should be from the Ming Cult, but I don’t know why they came to Xiangyang.”
Daoist Li Qing nodded.
If they were from the Ming Cult, he probably really couldn't handle them.
The resting place was not far, and in just a moment, the two had already arrived nearby.
The two suddenly stopped.
Through the trees, the two faintly saw firelight and heard Limiao talking to someone.
“Master?”
Daoist Li Qing looked at Master Zhishēng.
Master Zhishēng’s face was ashen, and he drew his sword, pushing aside the branches and leaves in front of him.
The bonfire that Daoist Li Qing had scattered earlier had been rekindled. A man sat by the fire, talking to Limiao.
This man looked to be in his early thirties, with a heroic face, dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, wearing a dark black bear fur cloak. He held a branch in his hand, gesturing towards Limiao as he spoke.
“Taiyi Xuanmen Sword, your Sect Leader truly doesn’t understand it as much as I do.”
Limiao looked unconvinced.
“You’re boasting! My Sect Leader is a supreme expert, and Taiyi Xuanmen Sword is a supreme art of my Wudang! How could you understand it more than my Sect Leader?”
The man smiled mischievously.
“Then watch.”
With that, the branch in his hand suddenly flickered, actually performing a sword flourish in the air.
Immediately after, he made a few illusory strokes.
Limiao didn’t understand the profundity of these few strokes and was about to speak.
Master Zhishēng and Daoist Li Qing, however, showed expressions of shock.
Those casual few strokes clearly contained the essence of Taiyi Xuanmen Sword. They had already transcended mere forms, with intent existing but form dispersed, breaking free from conventions, having completely grasped its true essence!
The current Wudang Sect Leader probably truly couldn't perform it with such ease!
Who exactly was this person!?
Seeing Limiao about to retort and mock, Master Zhishēng quickly spoke.
“Limiao!”
As soon as these words came out, the two people by the bonfire simultaneously looked up.
“Master!”
“Hmm?”
The man frowned and looked at Master Zhishēng, his fingers rubbing, almost about to unleash a Xuantian Finger.
Are the local sects so impolite?
Calling out my name directly?
Asking for a beating?