The gods began by supporting Guo Jing to become emperor

Chapter 362 Xu Ziling establishes his Dao in Zhongnan, Kou Zhong guards the Northwest

"Master, take care!"

Xu Ziling's eyes instantly welled up with tears. He took three steps back, his expression solemn. He gently lifted the hem of his shirt, knelt down with a "plop," kowtowed three times to Su Ming, and then resolutely turned and left.

After his figure disappeared, Su Ming looked down at the Longevity Mantra in his hand, then slowly walked to the chair under the tree and lay down.

The Longevity Manual emphasizes refining essence into qi, using qi to preserve youth, and ultimately achieving longevity like a tortoise. However, the price of refining essence is impaired fertility, often leaving practitioners childless. This is because those who can master this martial art are not skilled in martial arts. Ordinary martial artists who obtain this book, already possessing internal energy, find the two conflicting and thus unable to practice it. Furthermore, those who are not martial artists who obtain this book, knowing its extraordinary nature, cannot reach a state of effortless mastery even with deliberate effort.

Only Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling got lucky and accidentally mastered the technique. Their situation was similar to that of the illiterate Dog Brother. However, Dog Brother went straight for cultivating immortality, and was still far from mastering the Longevity Technique.

This book is written in oracle bone script, which is profound and difficult to understand. Among the ancient sages who read this book, there were many with extraordinary intelligence, but none of them were able to fully comprehend and decipher the entire book. The book contains 7,400 characters, but only a little over 3,000 have been deciphered. The book is also densely filled with annotations and interpretations from those who have read it, but these are often even more incomprehensible than the original text.

However, the Longevity Technique has extraordinary characteristics. Once you enter the door, you can directly cultivate innate true qi. Generally, martial arts practitioners first cultivate acquired true qi, and then return from acquired to innate to achieve the realm of a grandmaster.

In other words, those who practice the Longevity Formula have a much higher starting point than others; becoming a Grandmaster is just the beginning.

Can I practice?
Su Ming pondered that his foundation was the Nether Sea Returning to Origin Force, and all his power was borrowed. His internal energy sea was empty, and he had no true energy, so he was essentially a person who did not know martial arts. However, his lack of martial arts skills only meant that he was slightly stronger.

The Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill is an external martial art. When practiced to a high level, it can generate true qi. However, Su Ming does not need it because the benefits of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill are all in the body, used to strengthen muscles, bones, meridians, and blood.

This thought only flashed through his mind and then disappeared. He was almost at the end of his path to becoming a Grandmaster. If he came back to study the Longevity Formula, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse? Guang Chengzi's breaking of the Vajra was just one step more than his.

While the Longevity Manual is indeed mysterious, it is actually just some insights he left behind after breaking through the void. He is very familiar with the essence of Qi cultivation. If he was curious about the Longevity Manual when he first came to this world, it was only because of its reputation as one of the Four Great Books.

Now, he no longer needs the Longevity Formula, but it's still quite useful as a reference.

Su Ming put that aside and instead began studying the martial arts manuals of Jingnian Temple. Jingnian Temple was founded by a 'heavenly monk' and Buddhism was introduced to China in the tenth year of Emperor Ming of Han's Yongping reign.

From then on, Buddhism took root in the Central Plains. Even if Jingnian Temple wasn't as prestigious as Baima Temple, it was likely founded during the Eastern Han Dynasty, around the same time as Cihang Jingzhai. The two founders, the "Heavenly Monk" and the "Earthly Nun," were fellow disciples, destined to meet but not to be bound together. However, their ideas were very similar: not confined to one religion or sect. They both took it upon themselves to extensively study all religions and schools of thought, hoping to find the great path to enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and thus, a place for practicing Buddhism.

When they were first established, both factions strictly prohibited their disciples from getting involved in the martial arts world and politics, and instead focused on the study of the Way of Heaven and Man.

However, these words can only deceive others. Since Buddhism was introduced to the Central Plains, it has never stopped participating in politics. Without the participation of the upper-class nobles, Buddhism would not have entered thousands of households so quickly.

Both Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chanyuan are like prostitutes who want to maintain a facade of chastity. If one truly wants to renounce the world and cultivate oneself, a nun should act like a nun, shaving off her three thousand strands of hair and truly entering the Buddhist gate.

Then came the statement: "In our school of cultivation, one must first enter the world and then leave it, in the process of tempering one's Zen mind and sword mind with the myriad phenomena of the mortal world..."

Thinking of the appearances of Shi Feixuan and Zhao Rumeng, the two generations of Cihang Jingzhai, Su Ming couldn't help but shake his head. He took out a scroll of scripture from his room and began to read it. The Jingnian Chan sect mainly cultivates the Jingnian Chan book written by the first patriarch, Tianseng. It is mysterious and unpredictable, and few people know about it.

After the Jingnian Zen Temple was raided, the government only found the Wunian Zen Skill and the Silent Zen that Liaokong later practiced. It seemed that the Jingnian Zen Book had been lost. However, Su Ming was not looking at that, but rather at the Indian martial arts collected in the Jingnian Zen Temple.

The cultivation path involving the three meridians and seven chakras is quite different from the eight extraordinary meridians, seemingly a unique approach. This kind of authentic Indian martial arts is rarely seen now, as it has been localized after being introduced to the Central Plains. Only these long-standing Buddhist sects still retain it.

Compared to martial arts like the Wunian Chan Gong, these Indian martial arts were more relevant to him.

……

Zhongnan Mountain.

Since Yin Xi first established Louguan, subsequent dynasties have made renovations to the Zhongnan Mountains. Qin Shi Huang built a temple to Laozi south of Louguan, and Emperor Wu of Han built a Laozi Temple in Taipei. During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, famous Daoist masters from the north gathered at Louguan, adding to the temple and establishing the Louguan Daoist School.

Previously, in addition to Taoist sects, the Buddhist Cihang Jingzhai was also located on Zhongnan Mountain. It was not until the emergence of the Jade Taoist, who killed the Taoist traitor Ning Daoqi and forced Cihang Jingzhai to relocate, that Zhongnan Mountain became a Taoist pure land again.

Xu Ziling left Luoyang and headed north, passing through Tongguan, entering Guanzhong, and heading straight for Zhongnan Mountain.

Looking into the distance, the mountain is covered with ancient trees that reach for the sky, lush and secluded. Xu Ziling stepped onto the mountain path, which was rugged. He was dressed in a Taoist robe and strolled leisurely. His long black hair was tied into a Taoist bun with a wooden hairpin. His handsome face exuded an indescribable tranquility, making people forget the mundane world when they saw him.

He was immersed in the mountain scenery, and the deeper he went, the more simple and natural his temperament became, clear and pure, and he seemed to merge with heaven and earth. Finally, he came to the highest peak of Zhongnan Mountain, Taibai Mountain.

Sitting atop the mountain, gazing into the distance, a faint sense of enlightenment suddenly dawned on him. He closed his eyes, his mind returning to stillness, becoming one with nature. A moment later, a small bird flew by, resting on the mountain peak, seemingly oblivious to his presence, landing directly on his shoulder and preening its feathers.

This period of seclusion lasted a long time.

……

The Northwest.

Kou Zhong rode on his warhorse, his armor covered in wounds, with dark red bloodstains visible in the gaps. He stood with his sword drawn, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk's, while thousands of elite cavalry slowly galloped behind him.

A closer look reveals that these cavalrymen bear scars and bloodstains, but their eyes are fierce and cold, capable of chilling one to the bone with a single glance. He has now been appointed Grand General of the Western Route Army, a fourth-rank Mingwei General, commanding the entire Northwest Route army and specializing in foreign wars. At this time, Tibet had not yet risen to prominence, and in the eyes of the Wu Kingdom, the Tuyuhun, entrenched here, were a major threat.

Therefore, Song Que arranged for his disciples to be stationed here.

"All troops line up, let's go home!"

With Kou Zhong's command, the earth trembled as thousands of elite cavalry galloped into the distance, the whole process flowing smoothly as if they had rehearsed it countless times.

Behind the cavalry was a long line of troops, a long convoy, and a densely packed population—all spoils of war for the Western Army.

at the same time.

In an unnamed valley, over five thousand elite cavalrymen of the Tuyuhun Khanate quietly gathered. To conserve their strength for any unforeseen circumstances, the riders dismounted and sat on the ground. Looking at the scene before him, Busabo Khan felt a deep sadness.

This is because these five thousand cavalrymen represent all the elite forces that the Tuyuhun royal family can currently gather.

Who could have imagined that the Tuyuhun Khanate, which once boasted tens of thousands of elite cavalry, would have weakened to such an extent? If Tuyuhun had not preserved the Hu people's custom of universal conscription, they would not have been able to muster even five thousand cavalry.

Unfortunately, for months, the Tuyuhun tribe had been ravaged by Kou Zhong's repeated defeats, with heavy casualties among the tribesmen. Kou Zhong and his cavalry appeared and disappeared like ghosts, killing wherever they went, as if they never knew fatigue.

Previously, they had more than 10,000 elite troops, but they were defeated by Kou Zhong in one battle, suffering heavy casualties. These were the troops that Busabo Khan had regrouped after returning to Tuyuhun. However, the ferocity of the Wu cavalry made the morale of these three thousand knights low, and they no longer had the arrogance of the Khan's elite troops.

"Ugh!"

Busabo Khan stood beside his beloved horse with a gloomy expression, exuding the ferocity and savagery of a wounded beast. He was no longer the arrogant and domineering ruler he once was. No one could have imagined that Tuyuhun, who had only gone south to raid for supplies as before, would suffer such a heavy blow.

Thinking about the experiences of the past two months, Busabo Khan's face was filled with pain and hatred, and he occasionally showed a look of anxiety and uncertainty.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from afar, "Report, Great Khan, the Wu army has retreated!"

Upon hearing this, Busabo Khan trembled violently. He forced his eyes down to hide his bloodshot, bulging eyes, which were filled with immense grief, but he couldn't help but clench his knuckles so tightly they cracked.

The more than five thousand elite cavalry were equally grieved, but their grief was only evident on their already numb faces, a sense of despondency. The Wu army had retreated, which meant that the old, weak, sick, and disabled left behind in the tribe would all...

Compared to them, Kou Zhong, a man from the Central Plains, was more like a grassland person.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, regained his composure, mounted his horse, and shouted in a hoarse voice, "Gather the troops and return to the city!" The knights obeyed the order, mounted their horses, and rode in formation toward the capital of Tuyuhun.

Historically, the Sui Dynasty attacked the Tuyuhun and defeated Tuyuhun's Fuyun. Emperor Yang of Sui established prefectures such as Xihai and Heyuan. However, apart from a very brief period of control over the smallest and easternmost prefecture, Heyuan, the Sui Dynasty did not control the other prefectures. Emperor Yang sent Murong Shun to manage the remaining forces, but he could not advance beyond Xiping and had to return. A few years later, Tuyuhun's Fuyun not only recovered all the lost territory but also attacked the Sui Dynasty's Heyou region. The Sui prefectures and counties were unable to resist.
But this time, Wu Jun was different. Unlike before, when they would withdraw after winning, they were willing to inflict casualties on Tuyuhun at any cost.

Several days later, Busabo Khan led 5,000 cavalry back to the capital. Before even entering the city, he saw black smoke rising from within and the city walls covered in scars. Upon entering, he discovered that the Wu army had not burned the city as they had burned the tribal settlements of Tuyuhun when they withdrew; the city still retained most of its original structures.

Upon entering the city, he looked around and saw that it was not deserted, but bustling with people and noise. The majority of them were young and strong men, with only a few elderly women. There were no young women or little girls at all!

Upon seeing the Khan and his cavalry, these people excitedly rushed over and bowed deeply.

But there was little joy on Busabo Khan's face. He knew that Wu Jun would not let them off so easily. Sure enough, when his gaze swept over the hands of these people, he closed his eyes in pain.

Simply because—the thumbs of both of these people had been severed at the root!
Before encountering the invasion of Wu's army, he never thought that a person's thumb was indispensable, just a finger. However, the Wu army's western expedition was exceptionally brutal.

The Tuyuhun were numerous, and it was impossible for them to kill them all. So they cut off the thumbs of all the Tuyuhun soldiers and civilians they encountered and captured, except for young women and children.

Only after that did he suddenly realize a cruel fact—that without a thumb, a person's hands are 70% crippled. Without a thumb, it's not just that you can no longer exert force or do heavy work; the most crucial thing is that you can no longer use knives or guns, or draw a bow and shoot arrows!
Especially the latter. On the grasslands, from the Khan to a three-year-old child, everyone knows an indisputable fact: a person riding a horse without a bow and arrow is like someone who is naked and has no sense of security!
The inability to use force means he cannot protect what he wants to protect; he is a weakling, simply because he cannot draw his bow and shoot an arrow to fight back! In the eyes of nomadic peoples, a person whose thumb has been severed at the root is considered a first-degree cripple, unable to mount a horse and fight for the rest of his life!

At this moment, before Busabo Khan was a city full of first-degree cripples crying for food, and Wu's army seized all the livestock and food within sight, eating and taking as they pleased, and burning what they could not finish eating or take away.

Not only in this royal city, but throughout the entire Tuyuhun territory, there are countless other first-degree disabled people like this.

Even though the majority of them were strong and robust men, they could no longer mount their horses to fight, and they could not even dismount to be used as breeding horses, because the Wu army had abducted all the women within their sight who were still able to have children!
Moreover, without food, nearly half of them would starve to death. It seems that after Wu Jun left, all that was left for him, besides the unburnt grassland, were these cripples.

In the future, Tuyuhun will not be able to move south again, and they may not even survive this winter. They all want to survive, and at least half of their people will have to die in order to continue the tribe.

Thinking of this, he was filled with remorse. If he had known, he shouldn't have gone south to raid the grasslands, which would have attracted such a killing god and caused the entire Tuyuhun to suffer such a heavy blow.

However, thinking of the five thousand elite cavalry he had protected, he couldn't help but feel a little comforted. At least he was still alive, and his position as Khan was still secure. As long as he could survive, everything would be fine.

(End of this chapter)