I am a prince in Zhutian Films

Chapter 551 Sending Old Huang to Wudang
Fiery clouds on the horizon, the evening glow stretches for miles.

Zhou Chengan carried a jar of wine, found Lao Huang, and waved it at him.

"Old Huang, I heard from Xu Fengnian that you're going to Wudi City. I'll treat you to a drink."

"That's daring."

Old Huang grinned, reverting to his simple-minded demeanor as a stable boy in the Prince's mansion, completely devoid of his previous expert air.

Xu Fengnian didn't speak, but gave Zhou Chengan a look.

However, even after finishing a whole jar of wine, Zhou Chengan still showed no intention of trying to persuade him to stop.

Only then did Xu Fengnian realize that Zhou Chengan hadn't come to persuade Lao Huang at all, but to see Lao Huang off.

He sighed: "If you can't beat them, come back. Losing isn't shameful. After all, it's Wang Xianzhi, the number one warrior in the world."

"It's second best in the world," Old Huang corrected.

"Are you stupid? Is it better to win against the number one in the world, or the number two?!" Xu Fengnian said irritably. "Besides, losing to the number one in the world sounds better too!"

“What the young master says makes sense, but second place is second place.”

"You...you're so stubborn..."

The three of them drank all night, and Zhou Cheng'an spent the night at the Northern Liang Prince's Mansion for the first time.

Early the next morning.

Old Huang left, carrying his sword case and leading a poor horse.

Besides Xu Fengnian and Zhou Chengan seeing them off outside the city, there was also the old master of double swords, Chu Kuangnu.

The distance from the Northern Liang King's Palace to the main city gate of Lingzhou is not short, but no matter how far it is, there is an end.

Seeing the prince's somber expression, the city gate captain dared not flatter him. He simply drove everyone queuing to leave the city to the side, leaving the city gate empty.

This made Zhou Cheng'an frown, but he didn't say anything.

Xu Fengnian, who was leading Lao Huang's horse, stood under the inner city wall, handed the reins to Lao Huang, and said with a touch of sadness, "I'll stop here. Lao Huang, isn't it boring to be with a spoiled brat like me who's like a frog in a well?"

Old Huang shook his head, gazing at the young and handsome face of the Crown Prince, and said with a smile, "It's quite interesting, really. Old Huang doesn't know how to flatter, but doesn't the young master often say that I speak honestly?"

Xu Fengnian smiled slightly.

Old Huang took out the Nine Swords Manual and handed it to Xu Fengnian: "Young Master, please keep this. If you see any children with talent in the future, please take them on as disciples for Old Huang. It will be more appropriate to abduct young girls on the street."

Xu Fengnian did not refuse and carefully accepted it.

Old Huang thought for a moment, then looked troubled and said, "Young Master, I'm not very cultured and I don't know how to name a sword. Everyone in the martial arts world knows about the Nine Swords. The first eight swords have all been given names by people in the martial arts world, and I feel uncomfortable and uneasy when I hear them. Young Master, could you think of one for me?"

Xu Fengnian was both amused and exasperated. After thinking for a moment, he said, "We've traveled six thousand li, so we're just going to call it six thousand li? If you don't think it's vulgar or lacks grandeur, then go with this."

Old Huang gave a thumbs up and praised, "Impressive! When I arrive at Wudi City, I'll announce this top-notch sword name, and Wang Xianzhi will probably be extremely envious."

Xu Fengnian was both amused and exasperated.

Chu Kuangnu laughed and scolded, "Huang Laojiu, don't die in Wudi City, we haven't decided the winner yet."

Then, Zhou Chengan said meaningfully, "Only when you are alive is there hope. When you are dead, you have nothing. Victory or defeat is only temporary, but life and death are the most important things in a lifetime."

Old Huang nodded, but the determination in his eyes did not diminish.

He clasped his hands in greeting to the three men, then led his horse away, carrying a sword case on his back and a wine gourd at his waist.

Xu Fengnian wanted to go up to the city wall, but Zhou Chengan stopped him.

"Let's go to Wudang Mountain. After we go, I'll prepare to leave too."

"what?"

Xu Fengnian was stunned, as if he hadn't heard clearly.

"Didn't you say you wanted me to go to Wudang Mountain with you? You even secretly tricked Lao Chu into helping you beat someone up. Let's go!" Zhou Cheng'an said irritably, "After we go to Wudang Mountain, I'll be leaving too. Winter is coming soon, and I have to go back for the New Year."

"Just like that?"

"if not?"

Zhou Chengan picked up Xu Fengnian and rode the wind away.

Chu Kuangnu followed closely behind.

The three of them sped along and arrived at the foot of Wudang Mountain, where a handsome young Taoist priest was waiting for them, accompanied by a blue ox.

This person is none other than Hong Xixiang, the junior disciple of the Wudang Mountain sect leader.

Hong Xixiang was taken up the mountain by the previous Wudang leader when he was five years old and became his last disciple. He became a fellow disciple with the current leader, Wang Chonglou, at a young age.

In the nine palaces and thirteen temples of Wudang Mountain, there are thousands of Taoist priests. Most of them, upon seeing this young Taoist priest, must respectfully address him as Grandmaster Uncle, and the younger ones may even call him Supreme Grandmaster Uncle.

It is said that this young ancestor of Wudang Mountain never came down the mountain. He only saw the Xuanwu Dangxing Archway when he entered the mountain. He has not come close to it for more than 20 years, and has never even seen it from a distance. He spends most of his time either at Taiqing Palace on Yuzhu Peak or riding a green ox backwards with his crown upside down on the Big and Small Lotus Peaks. If anyone is lucky enough to see his true face, they will go back and tell people that their grandmaster has a very good temper, profound knowledge, and exquisite elegance.

However, today he not only came down the mountain, but also seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

Without saying a word, Xu Fengnian rushed over.

"Your Highness, could you please not slap me in the face?"

"Okay."

Then, Xu Fengnian slapped him in the face repeatedly.

This scene left Chu Kuangnu dumbfounded. He wondered, "Although this little Taoist priest's martial arts are mediocre and he seems to be just as lazy as Xu, he has a good physique. He shouldn't have been beaten up like this by Xu, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chengan smiled and said, "He cultivates the Tao."

"As for the Daoist methods, since he hasn't used them, there's no way to judge them. I imagine they won't be too bad, but they won't be too good either. After all, whether it's martial arts or Daoist cultivation, it's all about going against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. How can you succeed without enduring hardship? It's really strange, young master. Why do you think Wudang Mountain took a liking to this talent? Could it be that they follow the same path as the Zen Buddhist monasteries?"

Since Zhou Chengan's battle with Lao Huang, Chu Kuangnu has never mentioned fighting the two again. Instead, he humbly sought advice on swordsmanship several times.

He also changed his address for Zhou Chengan from "Mr. Zhou" to "Little Mr."

In Chu Kuangnu's words, "young master" sounds familiar.

Zhou Chengan shook his head: "Old Chu, the Taoist methods he cultivates are not ordinary. Take a closer look."

After a while.

Chu Kuangnu broke out in a cold sweat: "That Xu brat really dares to think so big, actually asking me to beat him up. I'd be grateful if he didn't."

Zhou Chengan smiled but didn't say anything.

It took Xu Fengnian a while to stop.

Hong Xixiang lowered his hand that was covering his face, looked at the panting Xu Fengnian, and said with a fawning smile, "Your Highness, have you vented your anger?"

"roll!"

Hong Xixiang did not roll away, but instead looked at Zhou Chengan.

The two looked at each other and laughed as if they were on the same wavelength.

Seeing this, Xu Fengnian said, "This is my brother."

Hong Xixiang, who had just been beaten, ignored him, stood up, and bowed.

"Hong Xixiang of Wudang greets fellow Daoist."

Zhou Cheng'an returned the greeting with a bow, saying, "Zhou Cheng'an from Qingcheng Mountain greets you!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, please!"

"please!"

Xu Fengnian originally only intended to vent his anger for his elder sister Xu Zhihu, and leave after beating up Hong Xixiang. However, he did not expect that Hong Xixiang would invite Zhou Chengan to the mountain, and even more unexpectedly, Zhou Chengan agreed. Seeing the two of them looking like kindred spirits, Xu Fengnian snorted with considerable dissatisfaction.

However, he didn't say anything.

Because they were afraid of getting beaten up.

Having just beaten up Hong Xixiang, it would be too embarrassing to be beaten up by Zhou Chengan in person.

Along the way, Hong Xixiang introduced the scenery of Wudang Mountain.

Wudang Mountain has two pools, four ponds, nine wells, twenty-four deep ravines, thirty-six cliffs, and eighty-one peaks. There is a temple every five li and a palace every ten li. The red walls and green tiles are exquisite. Centered on the Taizhen Palace on Yuzhu Peak, the eighty-one peaks tilt around this peak, forming the famous spectacle of eighty-one peaks facing the Great Peak.

For thousands of years, countless seekers of immortality have retreated to Wudang Mountain, some meditating on the peaks, others hiding in the coffins of immortals, listening to the sounds of jade and gold, watching the mist rise and the clouds surge over the green mountains and clear waters, leaving behind countless legends.

The scenery along the way was so similar to Wudang Mountain in Zhou Cheng'an's memory that he couldn't help but feel a little dazed when he listened to Hong Xixiang's introduction.

However... although the scenery was similar to the Wudang Mountain in his memory, it was ultimately not that Wudang Mountain.

Wudang Mountain was a sacred Taoist site of the previous dynasty, surpassing Longhu Mountain. After the Liyang Dynasty was established, it promoted Longhu Mountain and suppressed Wudang Mountain, which made Longhu Mountain the ancestral home of Taoism.

Wudang Mountain has been silent for hundreds of years, but no one dares to underestimate its millennia-old heritage.

Although the current sect leader Wang Chonglou is not ranked among the top ten masters in the world, legend has it that he once broke through the entire turbulent Canglang River with a single "Immortal Pointing the Way" technique. Whether it is a rumor or an exaggeration, he is still a highly respected old immortal of the Taoist sect.

Especially when he practiced the most obscure and time-consuming Taoist practice, the Great Yellow Court Pass, it gave the entire Wudang Mountain a profound and lingering grandeur that spoke volumes without words.

In Zhou Cheng'an's eyes, Wudang Mountain had a much stronger Taoist atmosphere than Qingcheng Mountain.

The two are not even on the same level.

Occasionally, a Taoist priest would stop along the way to greet Hong Xixiang, calling him either "Master Uncle," "Grand Master Uncle," or "Supreme Grand Master Uncle." He would always greet him with a smile, showing his approachable nature.

On the other hand, the Taoist priests who bowed to him couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Why did this young ancestor come down the mountain today?
The four men and one ox walked into the archway of Xuanwu Dangxing, and Hong Xixiang suddenly stopped.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you are destined to be with Wudang."

Is it fate?
I guess you could say that.

Although I am not a disciple of Wudang, I have visited Wudang Mountain and even learned a set of Tai Chi.

Thinking of this, Zhou Chengan nodded: "There is indeed some fate involved."

Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Hong Xixiang did not press him further. He turned to Xu Fengnian and said, "Your Highness, I will take Fellow Daoist Zhou to see Senior Brother Headmaster. Senior Brother has some things to discuss with Fellow Daoist Zhou."

Xu Fenglai came to Wudang Mountain to beat up Hong Xixiang, but now that he had already done so, he had no interest in climbing the mountain and waved his hand.

"Go."

Chu Kuangnu wanted to go along, but they didn't invite him at all.

In addition, he couldn't leave Xu Fengnian alone here, so he also stayed under the Xuanwu Dangxing archway.

Hong Xixiang led Zhou Chengan upwards.

On the way, Hong Xixiang stopped describing the scenery and instead chatted with Zhou Cheng'an about Taoist classics and martial arts practice.

This was precisely Zhou Chengan's forte, and the two got along very well.

At a fork in the road, Hong Xixiang pointed to the summit of Jade Pillar Peak, the highest peak in Wudang Mountain, and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, your talent for cultivation and martial arts is truly remarkable!"

Zhou Chengan was taken aback, then raised his hand and pointed as well.

"Fellow Daoist Hong's talent is not to be underestimated either. I just wonder when you will go down the mountain to pick up my older cousin."

"Ok?"

Hong Xixiang was taken aback: "Big Cousin?"

"Xu Zhihu!"

Zhou Chengan smiled with amusement: "Didn't you figure it out, fellow Daoist? I'm related to the Xu family; Xu Zhihu is my cousin."

Hong Xixiang gave an awkward smile, said nothing more, and led Zhou Chengan toward Little Lotus Peak.

There are two Lotus Peaks, one in front of the Jade Pillar Peak and one in back. The larger Lotus Peak has more than ten grotto-heavens and blessed lands for secluded cultivation, while the smaller Lotus Peak on one side of the cliff is tacitly reserved for Hong Xixiang alone.

Normally, only Hong Xixiang cultivates on Little Lotus Peak, but today there are two more people.

One was an old Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face. He was extremely robust, no less so than Chu Kuangnu. Such a physique was truly rare in the Taoist community.

The other was a middle-aged Taoist priest with a slender appearance.

He carried a long, slender peach wood sword, the color of purple copper, named Shen Tu. Legend has it that an ancient immortal once used this sword to kill a fox spirit who brought disaster to the country. The sword is a mixture of wickedness and demonic influence, and only those with great willpower can wield it.

"Senior Brother Wang, Junior Brother Wang, I've brought the person."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Cheng'an glanced at the two men and bowed respectfully: "This humble Taoist is Zhou Cheng'an from Qingcheng Mountain."

"Greetings, Master Zhou. This humble Taoist is Wang Chonglou."

Wang Xiaoping returned the greeting but didn't say anything, maintaining a cool and aloof demeanor.

Zhou Chengan didn't know what they were up to, so he didn't say anything more.

Wang Chonglou looked at him several times before a smile finally appeared on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you have a special connection with Wudang Mountain."

Ok?
That phrase again, what does Wudang Mountain mean?
Just as Zhou Chengan was pondering, he heard Wang Chonglou say gently, "It's not easy for you to come to Wudang Mountain, fellow Daoist, you should bring back some gifts."

Hong Xixiang raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, but he didn't say anything.

As for the sword fanatic Wang Xiaoping, she still had that icy face, completely devoid of any expression.

Zhou Cheng'an didn't know what gift the other party wanted to give, and before he could refuse, Wang Chonglou handed him a booklet.

He took it and was about to take a look when he heard Wang Chonglou say, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, His Highness the Crown Prince is probably getting impatient. The road down the mountain is difficult to travel, so I will not see you off."

"Let's go, Fellow Daoist Zhou, I'll see you off."

Seeing that Hong Xixiang had already made a gesture of invitation, Zhou Cheng'an had no choice but to bow and say: "If Wudang ever needs anything in the future, just come to Qingcheng Mountain and let me know. I will do my best to help."

Upon hearing this, the three brothers bowed to Zhou Cheng'an together.

Zhou Cheng'an had no choice but to return the courtesy before following Hong Xixiang down the mountain.

Beneath the plaque "Xuanwu Dangxing".

Xu Fengnian was bragging and joking with Chu Kuangnu, and his laughter carried far.

Upon seeing the two of them come down from the mountain, Xu Fengnian glared fiercely at Hong Xixiang before asking Zhou Chengan.

"Cheng'an, they didn't give you any trouble, did they?"

Before Zhou Cheng'an could react, Hong Xixiang said with a fawning smile, "Your Highness, we hit it off with Fellow Daoist Zhou at first sight, how could we make things difficult for him?"

"really?"

"Natural, natural."

Xu Fengnian was furious at his smiling face and sneered, "You ox-riding fellow, I heard that before your master passed away, he set a rule for you: you can't leave the mountain until you become the best in the world. Why did you leave the mountain today?"

"I may be the best in the world, but I haven't left Wudang Mountain yet, have I?"

Hong Xixiang tucked his hands into his sleeves and said with a smile, "Besides, there are so many people who are number one in the world. They eat the most, read the most books, and are number one in many. Master never said that I am number one in martial arts. There will be a day when I go down the mountain."

Xu Fengnian sneered, glancing towards the direction of Jiangnan, and said softly, "But by then, everyone will be old. If we meet again, it will be pointless. What good will it do?"

Hong Xixiang closed his eyes and didn't speak.

(End of this chapter)