Beichen Sword Sect's Headmaster's Secret Records

Chapter 349 Spiritual Martial Arts
The Huangfu family was originally a powerful clan residing in Anding County of the Dui Kingdom. As a military family of the Western Guard, they had served the Three Palaces Immortal Palace as border guards for generations since the time of the Immortal Venerable. They were the most upright and virtuous families in the border region. However, Huangfu Yi was born in the Arctic region. Not only had he never returned to his homeland of Anding, but this was also the first time he had set foot in the Central Plains.

This is probably because his family produced a Nascent Soul Realm ancestor, the famous General Huangfu Weiming, who pacified the Western Regions for the imperial court and made great military achievements.

Huangfu Yi had naturally heard the story of this Lord Huangfu Ming since childhood. Not only did his family teach him to regard Lord Ming as a role model and to grow up to be a pillar of the state, protecting the country and its people, and serving the nation, but even the people of Kan and Gen in the village had heard of Lord Ming's reputation and praised him for his integrity, incorruptibility, uprightness, and fearlessness in the face of powerful and treacherous officials. He was a rare and virtuous official with a clear conscience.

Unfortunately, the name of the "Three Bright Ones" was too great, spreading throughout the states and reaching the ears of the emperor, arousing the jealousy and resentment of the officials and nobles of the Three Palaces. Moreover, the Huangfu family was a legitimate powerful guard, not belonging to the celestial clans of the capital region. In addition, given the past fact that two "Bright Ones" had defected from the celestial palace to join the divine sect, this could not be tolerated again. Thus, the Huangfu family was also implicated and suppressed, nominally promoted but actually demoted, and forcibly relocated to the Nine Borders, for fear that they would be overpowered and difficult to govern by the Duke of Weiming.

As a result, Huangfu Yi's branch was transferred to the northern border to guard the frontier. Sixty years ago, they were caught up in the demon tide and almost suffered the extermination of their clan. They finally found a relic of an immortal, which is said to be Jiuquan Village where a sword immortal made wine. With the protection of the sword array left by the immortal, they survived and continued to exist in the Arctic demon tide.

For the sixteen years since his birth, Huangfu Yi had spent in Jiuquan Village, practicing his family's Gangquan style to strengthen his body and mind while observing the sword formation set up by the Yaoguang Sword Immortal.

Although he only learned some of the Huangfu family's internal skills and techniques for assisting breathing and exerting power, and had never seriously practiced any Qi, he learned some of the exquisite skills of the Yao Guang Sword Technique from the fragments left by the immortals by watching the sword formations over the years. From a young age, he went out of the mountains with the adults to hunt, capturing strange and grotesque demons and monsters, and bringing them back to the village to teach everyone. His life was quite fulfilling.

While the Huangfu family couldn't quite be called a powerful clan with four generations of high-ranking officials, they were still well-to-do wealthy families who had seen a bit of the world, and they had quite a few classic family heirlooms. The elders of the Huangfu family were always talking about returning to the Central Plains, and they never relaxed their education, so naturally they wouldn't raise their children to be ignorant stable boys.

Therefore, although he had never been to the Central Plains, through constant exposure and personal instruction, Huangfu Yi had some basic understanding of the customs and social conditions of the twelve kingdoms.

However, Huangfu Yi felt that being isolated from the Central Plains and living in seclusion in the snow-capped mountains, even if he couldn't return to the imperial court for the time being, didn't seem to be a bad thing.

After all, the Central Plains are now in a state of chaos.

Although the icy and snowy land of the Northern Continent was fraught with danger, with demons, monsters, bandits, and thieves lurking everywhere, the refugees who fled to Jiuquan Village, despite their different backgrounds, were able to stick together for warmth and help each other, supporting each other year after year, all thanks to the protection of the sword immortal.

But once they passed through the checkpoint and entered the city, they looked up to see dozens, even hundreds, of mummified corpses—whether refugees or bandits—chopped in half and hung on the city gate tower. They saw the roadside, the bodies mutilated by wild dogs or starving people. They gazed at the skeletal remains of infants, carelessly tossed into the ditches, shriveled like dead cats. Huangfu Yi's initial excitement sank.

In this kind of world, why would I come back?

If given a choice, it would be better to live in seclusion in the Northland.

Unfortunately, there was no choice.

The Blood Demon grows stronger every day, and the Blood Sea spreads every day. It's not even necessary for the Blood Sea to reach Jiuquan Village to be certain that even the sword formation left behind by the Yao Guang Sword Immortal, which has protected the village for sixty years, cannot stop this boundless pool of blood.

After all, the demons of the North were clearly not scared away by the sword formation. Otherwise, how could Huangfu Yi, alone on horseback, have so easily crossed the ice plains, traversed the Yin Mountains, and rushed to Lingwu to ask for help?

Yes, Huangfu Yi had overcome all these hardships alone. After all, the North was the North, and there weren't many men left who could guard the village. As the eldest son of the Huangfu clan, the most talented and skilled among the younger generation of Jiuquan Village, and the only one to have obtained the Immortal Sword Treasure, the responsibility of slaying demons, seeking help, and protecting the family naturally fell to Huangfu Yi.

Head south, south, to the Central Plains, to Mount Jiuyin, find that sword immortal, ask him to come down from the mountain, slay the demon, and return home.

"Who goes there! What brings you here!"

Upon seeing that the young man was tall and strong, dressed in military armor, covered in blood, and carrying a strong bow with ox horns, he did not look like a sallow-faced, emaciated starving refugee. The guards at Lingwu Pass immediately became vigilant.

"I am... Bai Yi, a hunter."

Huangfu Yi also kept in mind the instructions of the Emei Taoist, and speaking in the local dialect of the Gen Kingdom, he stretched out his arm and displayed the freshly skinned wolf pelt.

The guards were also good at judging by appearances. Seeing such a large wolf pelt, reeking of blood, they knew immediately that it was a demon that had just been killed. They also noticed that the young man had an open and honest demeanor, a calm and collected face, and huge biceps, so he was definitely not someone to be trifled with. Of course, they didn't dare to cause trouble or extort him, and let him into the city while cursing and swearing.

But Huangfu Yi didn't let him go. Instead, he grabbed the soldier and pulled him in front of him.

"Oh dear, oh dear, brave warrior, spare my life! Spare my life!"

The pawn's shoulder was being squeezed so hard it felt like it was about to break, and he screamed and begged for mercy.

Huangfu Yi glared at him and pointed to the yellowed recruitment notice on the city wall.

"I want to join the army, but where is the commander?"

"Huh? Huh? Joining the army?"

When the soldier saw that this bandit was so formidable, immediately seeking trouble with the military commander, he had no choice but to point to the tall buildings inside the city.
"It's somewhere in the prefectural city, the tallest building is it..."

"Zhi!"

Suddenly, a golden sound rang out, and a flash of light appeared. A long sword was suddenly thrown down from the city tower, slashing straight at Huangfu Yi!

Huangfu Yi, quick-witted and agile, flung his pawn into the air. A loud "whoosh!" came from the bright light, revealing a long sword that spun in mid-air, cleaving the pawn in two at the waist, killing him instantly. Hot blood poured down his face, his entrails and flesh splattering all over the street.

Without wasting words, Huangfu Yi drew his bow and, with a roar, unleashed the full power of his fist, raising his hand to shoot an arrow straight at the gate tower!
"Ha! You've got some strength! Climb up!"

The man upstairs laughed loudly and recalled his long sword.

Huangfu Yi showed no fear. He leaped up, stepped on the cracks between the bricks, and used all four feet to pounce and crawl into the city.

Several guards stood on the city wall, swords at their sides. An old general, his face covered in stubble and his belly protruding, sat upstairs eating dog meat. He placed the long arrow he had seized with his bare hands on the table, and his long sword rested across his lap.

"Joined the army? What's your background? Where did you learn your skills?"

"A humble mountain dweller, with family-inherited martial arts skills."

Huangfu Yi swung his fist, which was as big as a sandbag, and showed it to the old general his skill in Gangquan.

"The foundation is quite solid."

The old general nodded, then looked again at the arrowhead stained with demon blood.
"The arrows of the Gen Kingdom's garrison, which military commander did they serve before?"

Huangfu Yi remained unfazed.
"My father is dead, I didn't know."

The old general glanced at the wolf pelt in Huangfuyi's hand.
"You hunted it?"

"A large group of demons are lurking on the north bank of the Ju River..."

Seeing that the old general was focused on the dog meat and had no interest whatsoever in eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path, Huangfu Yi didn't waste any more words. He simply raised his hand and threw the fur coats to the ground.

"Here you go! Change your background!"

The veteran then slowly broke into a smile.

"Hahaha! Good, good, good... Take down this spy from Yanmen!"

The armored guards on both sides drew their swords and slashed, but Huangfu Yi was prepared. He dodged left and right, and in a flash, he was behind one of the guards. He stomped on the guard's ankle and broke it. The guard grimaced in pain and was caught off guard. Huangfu Yi stretched out his long arm and used a wrestling technique to knock him down and use him as a human shield.

However, the other man ignored the attack and swung his sword, cleaving the guard in two with a single blow, nearly chopping off Huangfu Yi's finger. Enraged, Huangfu Yi threw the two severed pieces of the body away, and while the guard parried, he shattered the corpse into pieces. He then lunged forward, suddenly thrusting his palm through the gap in the guard's breastplate and helmet, delivering a powerful punch that shattered the man's Adam's apple. Seeing that he had subdued two guards in just two moves, the old general wiped his mouth in satisfaction, raised his hand to stop the surrounding soldiers, and tossed a dog's leg at him.

"Wow, you've got quite a few tricks up your sleeve. I can tell that your father used to be a captain, at least."

Huangfu Yi didn't answer, and started gnawing on the dog's leg.

The veteran nodded and patted his belly.

"Give him a knife. He's such a good fighter, let him be a hawk sentry for three years first."

So Huangfu Yi also clasped his hands together, just like the guards beside him.
"Here!"

Having obtained the military leader's promise by using three demon skins, Huangfu Yi was taken in as a soldier in Lingwu. Then, a personal guard led Huangfu Yi to the storeroom to retrieve a knife.

Of course, it wasn't just the steel-plated sword; there was also a set of Lingwu military uniform, a turban to tie up the hair, trousers to cover the body, leather combat boots, a windproof cloak, a whetstone for sharpening the sword, a felt blanket, a tent, a cooking pot, enough wheat porridge to eat for three days, a monthly stipend of one shi of millet, a quarterly stipend of one jin of money, and three bolts of cloth.

Previously, the guards of the Nine Garrisons had supplies from the Three Walls, and those who joined the army could also receive a set of custom-made Ming armor. Now, of course, that's no longer the case. As for handy items like bows, crossbows, long-handled swords, and spears, you either have to pool your money to buy them yourself or scaveng them from the dead. You can get fifteen arrows, but you still have to spend money after you've used them all.

Of course, Huangfu Yi wasn't genuinely interested in joining any army. What he really wanted was this: the Lingwu Army's uniform and waist token, the knowledge of their flag signals and commands, and a stolen horse. Huangfu Yi was confident he could traverse Genzhou unimpeded, making his way to the Gen River. As for what to do next—whether to seek help from the Ancestor or the Sword Immortal—he hadn't decided yet.

However, there's no rush. We've traveled a long way, so we should rest first and make a decision once we reach the Central Plains.

Besides, Jiuquan Village has been isolated from the world for sixty years. Who knows what the situation is like in the human world now? Moreover, that Taoist priest is very mysterious and doesn't speak clearly. As a result, Huangfu Yi doesn't even know where Jiuyin Mountain is. Where is he supposed to go to visit any immortals or ask about any Tao?

So Huangfu Yi decided to stay temporarily in the Lingwu army camp, get some food, and try to subtly inquire about the situation in the Central Plains from the common people.

"Old Feng, you're in charge of these greenhorns."

"Are new recruits also being sent to be eagle whistles?"

"It was ordered by the military commander."

The guard left Huangfu Yi behind, and after a while, an old soldier wearing a felt coat crawled out of the tent, apparently still sleeping.

"My name is Bai Yi. I learned boxing from my father for a few years and came to the army to make a living."

Huangfu Yi also clasped his hands in a respectful greeting.

Old Feng scratched his head.
"Hey, still all high and mighty? Are you performing in an opera? Go and cook some rice."

Without a word, Huangfu Yi skillfully started a fire at the military stove, cooked the rice he had been given, and added a few pieces of pork tenderloin cut from the wolf demon.

Old Feng, seeing that he knew how to start a fire and even remembered to put out the flames after cooking meat porridge, nodded and took the bowl.
"You're so young and you're quite capable, why are you still staying in a godforsaken place like Lingwu?"

"If you're going to join the army, go south. You might even be able to achieve some merit."

Huangfu Yi, having spent a long time with the veterans of the border army in the village, answered familiarly.

"Living in chaotic times, drifting with the tide, living from dawn till dusk, no one has a sure fate, so what is there to crave in terms of wealth and status?"

It's simply a matter of getting a steel knife for protection, a suit of armor for cover, and the protection of a military commander; at least it'll keep me from attracting the attention of thieves.

Old Feng nodded.
"You've got a good eye, kid. But do you even know what an eagle whistle does?"

"Patrolling the border in the fields, scouts explore and infiltrate enemy camps."

Old Feng was curious.
"What, you've done this job before?"

"My father taught me. As for the specifics, I would appreciate guidance from Director Feng."

Seeing that the lad was taking the bait, they brought over another piece of good meat. Old Feng was satisfied.
"You do have self-awareness, which might allow you to live a little longer. However, there are a few things you should know."

Lingwu is a border town, and the southern vassal states are counting on us to hold off the demons' advance. They avoid us like the plague, and there isn't a single person in the surrounding area.

Therefore, what we Eagle Sentinels are now scouting are no longer people, but demons.

"Please explain in detail, Chief Feng."

Huangfu Yi then served him a bowl of meat porridge.

Feng nodded, holding the porridge in one hand and drawing on the ground with the other.
"In the ravines to the south, there is an ancient battlefield, piled high with corpses, graves everywhere, and countless corpse ghosts. Decades ago, a skeleton ghost king was born, trying to open some kind of Yin-Yang Ghost Realm. The old Taoist priest nearby destroyed his body, and his head is pressed under a rock. He has to go and check on it every day, as long as the talisman on the rock is not removed by anyone."

There's a demonic Taoist in the mountains to the west. I don't know what kind of evil arts he practices, or what demonic lord he believes in. He makes ghosts howl and gods howl day and night. He harmed countless people back then, but he was suppressed by that old Taoist. Now, he has erected a monument halfway up the mountain and strung a rope to block the road. As long as there is no blood on the monument and the rope doesn't break, it's fine.

There's a monstrous dragon in the river to the north, said to be a demon from the north of Yinshan Mountain. It can devour half the city's inhabitants in a single day and night. An old Taoist priest cut it in half and nailed it to the bottom of the river with a dragon-locking pillar. Go to the northern outskirts of the city and find a well. Look around; there's a dragon-locking pillar at the bottom. If the chain is still attached, you're safe.

To the east, there's a forest where a village once stood, but now it's been taken over by a group of rebels who have all become thieves. In the forest lives a white-headed raccoon cat that leaps and bounds, devouring people. However, the old Taoist priest says that although this demon is a great scourge, it's actually a consequence of war, and it won't eat more than five hundred people a year. It's just a large worm, nothing to fear. If you really eliminate it, it will only harm the people hiding in the mountains; so just leave it be.

These three places where demons and monsters are sealed are closest to my Lingwu Pass. Every night, we have to take turns patrolling them. Once the seal is broken, we must immediately light the talisman fire and report to the gods so that the old Taoist can come and clean up the mess.”

Huangfu Yihan asked, "This old... immortal you mentioned, could he be a master from the Emei Sect?"

Old Feng chuckled coldly.

"Then which faction could it be? Most gods in the world are selfish and self-serving. They are worshipped by people in normal times, but they disappear without a trace when something happens."

It's only because of Emei's eccentricities and love of meddling in other people's business that, apart from them, who else in the world would care about such trivial matters in your remote and impoverished area?

"If it weren't for that old man's orders, who would be willing to venture into the mountain ravines every night to check the bird feather seal?"

"I see... He truly is a model of righteousness..."

"Alright, tonight it's our turn to patrol these three demon-sealing sites. As for tomorrow night's location, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"What? There's another one tomorrow night??"

Feng Tou, having eaten and drunk his fill, patted his bottom and lay down again.

"You think you should go to bed early? Maybe you won't even make it through the night, let alone worry about tomorrow night."

(End of this chapter)