I am a prince in Zhutian Films

Chapter 556 The Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate

Qingyang Palace, in a separate garden.

Xu Fengnian dispersed the crowd and was chatting alone with his aunt, Zhao Yutai.

Three years have passed, and Xu Fengnian is no longer the naive and clueless prince who just entered the martial world.

Now, he has reached adulthood, practiced swordsmanship, and possesses the Great Yellow Court of Wudang Mountain within his body.

The former butcher is now old, and the future of Beiliang rests on his shoulders.

Xu Fengnian already knew the purpose behind Xu Xiao's decision to send his aunt Zhao Yutai to be stationed at Qingcheng Mountain.

He had three purposes for coming to Qingcheng Mountain.

Firstly, it was to search for his good brother Zhou Cheng'an.

When you return to the martial arts world, you must have a drink with your good brothers.

If possible, it would be best to bring your best buddies along.

Secondly, it was for Lao Huang's sake, to ask Master Zhou for the second half of the Cloud Sword Song.

Thirdly, I wanted to take a thorough look at Mount Qingcheng.

Therefore, before going up to Qingyang Palace this time, he had already visited other mountains and made detailed geographical drawings in preparation for future needs.

The aunt and niece hadn't seen each other for three years and had a lot to talk about.

Zhao Yutai, who is fierce and terrifying in front of others, is very gentle in front of Xu Fengnian.

It's estimated that Wu Mian and Wu Jing, the siblings, would be utterly astonished to see Zhao Yutai in this state.

Zhao Yutai, who called herself a servant, held Xu Fengnian's hand the whole time, smiling kindly. After listening to his experiences of traveling the world for three years and some insights, she made a summary.

"Your Highness is very much like Miss, both in appearance and mannerisms."

When Xu Fengnian heard her mention her mother, Wu Su, he shook his head slightly, clearly not believing himself to be as good as his mother. He also didn't want to talk about his mother anymore, so he simply changed the subject.

"Aunt, do you know that Wu Liuding is the swordsman of this generation?"

Zhao Yutai nodded calmly, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Xu Fengnian subconsciously clenched his fist and laughed, "Wu Liuding is quite arrogant. I must meet him when I have the chance and see if he is worthy of the title of Wu Family Sword Crown."

Zhao Yutai smiled: "Your Highness, among your attendants, the one-armed old man is the most profound. Which senior swordsman is he?"

Along the way, not everyone had asked about Li Chungang's identity, but Xu Fengnian had never revealed it. Now, when Zhao Yutai asked, he made no attempt to hide it.

In Xu Fengnian's view, anyone in the world could harm him, but his aunt would never do so.

He said softly, "He is Li Chungang, who was suppressed under Tingchao Pavilion by Xu Xiao for many years. He is an old generation sword god. I know that he lost to Wang Xianzhi because of the broken wooden horse and ox, but I don't know why he also lost an arm."

"So it was the old Sword God Li, no wonder."

Zhao Yutai suddenly realized and smiled slightly, saying, "When I was a child, the old ancestor who taught the young lady and the servants to practice swordsmanship suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Li Chungang. Not only was his sword broken, but his sword heart was also destroyed, leaving him with no hope of ever reaching the realm of a sword immortal."

"In the past hundred years, first Li Chungang defeated a sword master and took away a wooden horse and ox. Later, Deng Tai'a also won, but he disdained to challenge the sword on the sword mountain, causing the Wu family's sword tomb to lose face."

"Wu Liuding, the contemporary sword champion, will definitely have to fight Deng Tai'a, the contemporary sword god, in the future. According to several secret letters, Wu Liuding is currently at the initial stage of the Finger Profound Realm and is still some distance away from the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. However, the most outstanding swordsmen of each generation of the Wu family have never been promoted step by step. They all stop at a thousand miles and then take another step to travel a thousand miles."

"Back then, Miss was just like that. Before she left the tomb, she was only a first-grade mortal. But when she fought against the previous Sword Master, she skipped two major realms, Vajra Finger Profound, and went straight to Celestial Phenomenon."

Hearing this, Xu Fengnian couldn't help but smile wryly and said, "Auntie, am I really stupid?"

Zhao Yutai gently shook his head: "Generally speaking, if you don't reach the Vajra realm by the age of thirty, you'll never reach the Finger Profound realm in your entire life, let alone the Celestial Phenomena or the Land Immortal realm. But Sword Nine Yellow, no, it should be Sword Ten Yellow now. He only stopped being a blacksmith who forged swords at the age of thirty. Yet who in the world dares to say that he isn't a master?"

Xu Fengnian smiled at first, but then sighed when he thought of Lao Huang's current situation.

"Your Highness, there are countless secret manuals in Tingchao Pavilion for you to study. I have a suggestion: you can consider becoming the peerless master of the fifty ultimate techniques in the first move. You don't need to learn from masters like Li Chungang or the sect leader who can defeat enemies with a flick of their fingers, nor do you need to be like Cao Guanzi, who becomes better and better in the later stages of the battle and is invincible in the final stage."

Zhao Yutai took a breath and continued, "Your Highness has an amazing memory, and it is not difficult for you to read extensively. You only need to select the most essential move or two from each of the thousands of secret manuals, and integrate the essence of the predecessors into your own body. Then, when you fight, you will have fifty moves in the first place, and each move will be as swift as a gazelle's horns, leaving no trace. In addition, with Your Highness's current Great Yellow Court cultivation, you will definitely be able to surprise people and be impossible to defend against."

Xu Fengnian paused for a moment, then murmured, "It seems feasible."

Zhao Yutai smiled but remained silent.

Xu Fengnian seemed to suddenly remember something and said seriously, "By the way, Aunt, speaking of Old Huang and Master Zhou, I have to ask, when will Master Zhou be willing to see me? I'm not going to have to wait another half a month, am I?"

Zhao Yutai was taken aback at first, then smiled, and finally a bitter feeling rose in his eyes.

The changes in his expression were truly spectacular.

"Everyone in the world believes that in the path of swordsmanship, there are only two people in the last hundred years who have stood out and have great fortune: the old sword god Li and Deng Tai'a. But they don't know that the sect leader is living in this Qingyang Palace."

Zhao Yutai said with great emotion: "Sword Nine Huang became Sword Ten Huang because of the Sect Master's half of the Cloud Sword Song. I also stepped into the Celestial Phenomenon because of the Sect Master. Just speaking of the understanding of the sword, the Sect Master is probably three points more powerful than the Sword God Li at his peak."

"He's that powerful?" Xu Fengnian asked in surprise.

Zhao Yutai nodded: "The sect leader's actions are always unfathomable and difficult for ordinary people to understand, so how could this servant know when Your Highness asked me when I could see him?"

At the end, Zhao Yutai laughed.

It wasn't a bitter or helpless laugh, but a laugh tinged with a wicked sense of humor.

This left Xu Fengnian somewhat bewildered.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Yutai changed the subject: "However, since the sect leader was willing to give Jian Jiuhuang guidance three years ago, Your Highness will definitely meet with him on this trip up the mountain."

Upon hearing this, Xu Fengnian sighed, "Old Huang is now a living dead man, lying motionless in Tingchao Pavilion. If I weren't worried that he might lose his life from the long journey, I would definitely have taken him with me on this trip. It would be a pity if I couldn't get the second half of the Cloud Sword Song for Old Huang on this trip to Qingcheng Mountain."

Zhao Yutai made no comment on this, but simply placed the sword box he had brought in front of Xu Fengnian.

"Auntie, what's this?"

Zhao Yutai gently stroked the sword box and said nostalgically, "This was left by Miss. I have been guarding the tomb on the mountain for more than ten years, waiting for this day. When Your Highness came last time, you were not yet of age, so I did not dare to speak up. Now Your Highness is not the same as before, and you can take this Great Liang Dragon Sparrow with you."

Xu Fengnian was startled: "The Great Liang Dragon Sparrow?!"

Zhao Yutai nodded slightly: "I suppose Your Highness is also aware that the Great Liang Dragon Sparrow is Miss's sword."

“Back then, Miss buried this sword in Qingcheng Mountain. I have guarded it for more than ten years, but I have never felt at peace.”

"Although Your Highness is currently learning the sword, one day you will be able to wield a sword."

"When Your Highness departs, please take with you this divine sword that once made heroes of the world bow down."

"Here lies the Great Liang Dragon Sparrow."

Xu Fengnian paused slightly, then nodded emphatically: "Okay, I'll take it with me."

“Back then, Miss told me that if His Highness were to meet a woman he loved who happened to be skilled in swordsmanship, she would give her as a betrothal gift. It’s just a pity… Miss will not be able to personally hand her over to His Highness,” Zhao Yutai sighed.

Seeing this, Xu Fengnian joked, "Aunt, Fengnian can't guarantee that I'll meet a woman like my mother. This betrothal gift might never be given out in my lifetime."

Zhao Yutai knew that he was deliberately trying to amuse her, and couldn't help but reach out and touch the prince's face. The once delicate and handsome young master now had prickly stubble.

His expression was kind and gentle, as if he were looking at a close relative or younger person, his eyes filled with pride and joy at the child's growth and success.

"A seemingly heartless person is actually the most affectionate. Any woman who can be favored by His Highness is the greatest blessing."

Zhao Yutai smiled and said, "In this respect, Your Highness is exactly the same as the General. This servant only hopes that Your Highness will meet the woman destined for you soon, settle down and start a family, support each other through thick and thin, and never forget each other in the world of martial arts and the imperial court."

For some reason, Xu Fengnian surprisingly showed a hint of shyness.

Unfortunately, Zhao Yutai did not notice. "Miss once said that no matter martial arts or the way of heaven, in the end it is nothing more than the word 'emotion'. If people have no emotions, how can they talk about the great way? It is just a waste of time. That is why there is the saying in Taoism that when one person attains the Tao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. And the vows and great aspirations of Buddhism are also out of compassion for heaven and humanity."

The word "love" is profound and mysterious.

"For the past six months or so, I have always heard the Sect Master playing the zither and flute. The music he plays mostly reveals the profound truths of the Way of Emotion, and I have thus entered the realm of Celestial Phenomena."

"Whenever the sect leader plays the zither, I always think of Miss."

"Miss is a person of deep feelings and true character, and so is His Highness. Very good!"

Feeling inferior to his mother, Xu Fengnian smiled shyly: "After hearing what Aunt said, I also want to hear Master Zhou's zither music, but I don't know if I'll have the chance."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Chungang's voice came from outside the villa.

"If you want to listen, then go listen. I just listened to two pieces, and they are indeed wonderful music."

Of all the music in the world, none could remind him of Green Cannon.

Based on this alone, Li Chungang believed that Zhou Chengan's qin music was unparalleled in the world.

Xu Fengnian looked up and saw Li Chungang slowly walking in, his expression seemingly different from when he left.

Zhao Yutai stood up and bowed to Li Chungang.

"I was unaware that it was the Sword God Li in person earlier. I apologize for my rudeness and hope that you will forgive me, senior."

Li Chungang sat down casually and waved his hand, saying, "I remember you, the sword attendant who followed Wu Su back then."

"It's kind of you that the old swordsman still remembers."

Li Chungang chuckled but said nothing more.

Xu Fengnian suddenly realized what was going on and exclaimed, "Wait, old man, you just said you went to listen to Master Zhou play the zither, you saw him?!"

"seen."

Li Chungang laughed and said, "Not only did I see people, but I also listened to music, drank wine, and practiced swordsmanship."

Upon hearing this, both Xu Fengnian and Zhao Yutai were taken aback.

"You fought with Master Zhou?" Xu Fengnian asked.

Li Chungang picked his nose and said nonchalantly, "Yes, I used the sword that broke the water armor of the talisman that day to spar with Master Zhou."

Xu Fengnian's eyes widened instantly.

He wasn't blaming Li Chungang for causing trouble, but rather regretting not being able to see the two fight.

Zhao Yutai felt the same way.

Li Chungang was the previous generation's Sword God. Although his realm has fallen and he no longer possesses his former glory, a Sword God is still a Sword God.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; his swordsmanship is still unparalleled in the world.

Otherwise, the Grand General wouldn't have allowed Li Chungang to accompany the Crown Prince out of Beiliang.

She had only seen a glimpse of the sect leader's swordsmanship, yet she was already astonished. Even if their duel was only a brief exchange, it would undoubtedly be one of the most spectacular duels in the world.

As someone who practices kendo, not being able to witness it firsthand is arguably one of the greatest regrets of my life.

Zhao Yutai couldn't help but sigh.

Xu Fengnian didn't think that much about it; he was only curious about one thing right now.

"Old man, who won?"

Li Chungang flicked his nose with his finger, shook his head and laughed, "It's just a friendly spar, there's no such thing as winning or losing, but... Master Zhou's pavilion is indeed very tall."

Xu Fengnian looked completely puzzled.

Why did we suddenly start talking about Master Zhou's attic?

Zhao Yutai knew that the pavilion where the sect leader was located was not high at all; it was even shorter than the Qiu Jian Pavilion where she lived.

So it's quite obvious that Old Sword God Li was saying that the sect leader's swordsmanship was very advanced.

"How tall is it?"

Zhao Yutai asked a question subconsciously.

Li Chungang raised his arm and pointed to the sky: "It's about that high."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yutai looked up at the clear blue sky, his eyes slightly glazed over, and said in a daze, "Can a sword open the gates of heaven?"

……

That night.

Zhou Chengan summoned Wu Lingsu.

Wu Lingsu thought that Zhou Chengan had called him over to give him some instructions, just like usual.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Chengan asked a question that left him somewhat puzzled.

"Ling Su, how long have you been on Mount Qingcheng?"

"Reporting to the Daoist Master, I have been staying in Qingcheng Mountain for over twenty years."

Today, six lineages have developed on Mount Qingcheng: Shenxiao, Yuxiao, Danxiao, Qingxiao, Jingxiao, and Bixiao. Before the Lunar New Year, they jointly elected Zhou Cheng'an as the highest leader of the Nine Pecks of Rice sect on Mount Qingcheng.

Because many disciples felt that the title "Dao Ancestor" was too arrogant, they changed it to "Dao Venerable".

Zhou Chengan nodded and continued, "Have you ever thought about going back to Longhu Mountain for a visit?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Lingsu trembled, raised her head from her lowered position, and revealed a rare gleam in her eyes.

"Daoist Master, are you about to descend the mountain?"

Wu Lingsu was able to establish the Shenxiao Sect on Qingcheng Mountain and do quite well, even with the Longhu and Wudang sects jointly controlling the Taoist world. This shows that he was a shrewd and intelligent person.

When Zhou Cheng'an took over Qingyang Palace, he said that one day he would make Shenxiao Sect flourish and become a lineage no less powerful than Longhu and Wudang, and let the world know that among the nine heavens, Shenxiao is the highest.

Wu Lingsu always remembered it.

Zhou Chengan forbade Wu Lingsu from announcing his existence to the public, saying that the time was not right.

Now, Zhou Chengan suddenly asked him if he wanted to go back to Longhu Mountain.

Without needing to think too much, Wu Lingsu understood the meaning behind it.

Clearly, he intends to enter the martial arts world as the Taoist Master of Qingcheng Mountain and the head of the Shenxiao lineage, using Longhu Mountain as a springboard to make Qingcheng Mountain famous.

"We're planning to go down the mountain to visit Longhu Mountain. I'm thinking of taking you with me this time. Would you like to?"

Wu Lingsu was overjoyed and immediately bowed, saying, "This disciple is willing."

"Well, this time we'll go down the mountain without making a big fuss. We'll go with Xu Fengnian. Go and settle things in the palace and get ready, then we'll set off."

"Yes!"

Wu Lingsu bowed respectfully and then left Shenxiao Pavilion.

(End of this chapter)