Devouring Evil Martial Arts, Eliminating Demons from All Heavens

Chapter 478 Little Li Huayang Needle, Crimson Clouds Without Heart Knot

Within the Imperial Observatory.

A young man wearing a military cap and a round-necked red-yellow robe rubbed his wrist.

The foreigners who attacked the Imperial Observatory were lying haphazardly on rooftops, in courtyards, or hanging by wells, each with several needles in their bodies, unable to move.

Lu Youjie, the Right General of the Golden Guard, looked somewhat ashamed and cupped his hands, saying, "It is the duty of our Golden Guard to apprehend these criminals."

"Your Majesty has gone to great lengths to come and assist us, and even managed to get there before us. I should apologize."

The emperor shook his head: "You've all been busy lately, and you're not even around here. I, on the other hand, live nearby, so I came to visit."

He carefully examined the empty Imperial Observatory and laughed, "If I had known earlier that Supervisor Cao and the others weren't here, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to come and help."

"However, the Huayang acupuncture technique was originally passed down from the Imperial Observatory. Now it is used to protect the Imperial Observatory, which can be regarded as a return of fate and a timely coincidence."

Huayang needles were actually created by Yuan Tiangang, the director of the Imperial Observatory, during the reign of Emperor Taizong, but were attributed to the ancient divine physician Bian Que.

However, this acupuncture technique truly shone during the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, when it was mastered by Grand Secretary Di.

Back then, when Grand Secretary Di was inspecting various places and solving cases everywhere, he secretly had an alias called "Di Yizhen" (Di One-Needle).

In cases where witnesses are in danger, he can determine whether a person can be saved with just one needle.

When Di Renjie rose to the position of Grand Secretary, he already had countless students and disciples, which is why his acupuncture technique became so popular and widely circulated.

In the last hundred years or so, some people have devoted their efforts to martial arts and greatly improved it, making it a rare and unique skill in the Tang Dynasty.

"The fact that this group dared to attack the Imperial Observatory on the day of the All-China Martial Arts Tournament makes me feel that their goals are not pure."

The emperor pondered for a moment, then said, "Could it be that they want to divert the attention of our Great Tang Dynasty, so that they can launch some kind of attack at the All-Nation Martial Arts Tournament?"

"With such methods, are you confident you can face Master Hai?"

Lu Youjie quickly said, "Your Majesty is exceptionally talented and brave, but let me lead some men to take a look outside the city."

Lu Youjie was also a veteran in the court, so he naturally knew the situation.

The late emperor had great ambitions from a young age. He was well-versed in military strategy and practiced martial arts diligently, determined to restore the glory of the emperor. However, he never even crossed the threshold of becoming a prince, and ended up killing himself in the process.

Moreover, because the late emperor firmly believed in the miraculous effects of practicing martial arts while still a virgin, he endured for many years. Later, seeing no hope in martial arts, he finally gave birth to one son and four daughters.

The current emperor was still a child when he ascended the throne.

However, this person was completely different from the late emperor. He had been fond of medicine, painting, woodworking and mechanical engineering since childhood. He had a superior talent in martial arts, surpassing the late emperor by ten times, but he did not focus on making rapid progress in martial arts.

He has only just entered the realm of the Uncrowned King. He can manage to deal with the attack on the Imperial Observatory with his Huayang Needle technique, but he would be of little use outside the city.

The emperor, knowing his own limitations, nodded slightly, and suddenly saw a ray of light shooting straight into the sky from among the mountains outside the city.

A white cloud in the blue sky was struck by the light and began to tremble and expand.

The emperor was stunned.

If he wasn't seeing things, when that beam of light shot into the sky just now, it vaguely resembled... a sword shape?!

Lu Youjie also noticed the strange situation outside the city, and with a burst of speed, he flew out of the city at high speed.

"Swordsmanship?"

The emperor pinched his chin and blinked.

A major event recently occurred in the court: members of the four great families were investigated, and a letter from the Nanzhao Kingdom was submitted.

In all these incidents, the figure of the centenarian Chu Tianshu can be seen; it is said that he always carried a long sword at his waist.

On his first night in Chang'an, he encountered Guo Lingwei of the Guo family of Huayin, who was suffering from a strange illness. It was later discovered that he was poisoned by Kong Tianrui of the Kong family.

He single-handedly killed the top experts of the four great families.

The emperor thought long and hard, and there was only one person who was a peerless master of swordsmanship.

"Moreover, this senior is also skilled with needles. He can treat that strange condition where the mind and body are at odds with each other with just a few needles..."

The emperor was so eager that he suddenly turned and jumped out of the Imperial Observatory into the alley.

When he appeared on another street, his overly conspicuous reddish-yellow robe had been turned inside out and replaced with a simple black round-necked robe, and he had also put on a bamboo hat.

In no time, he had already leaped high and low, rushing out of the city, leaving a flickering afterimage as he headed straight for the Zhongnan Mountains.

He then quietly blended into the crowd in the mountains.

Seeing his attire, the crowd assumed he was just a wandering knight and paid him little attention, all excitedly discussing what had happened earlier.

The atmosphere among the mountains was bustling with activity.

Although the process of the international military exercise was interrupted, the high-ranking officials among the envoys from various countries still had some complicated thoughts.

However, ordinary martial artists from various countries and wandering knights from all over the country were in high spirits.

Are battles between top-tier masters so easy to witness?

I thought I'd only get to see a martial arts competition, but I never imagined I'd witness such a spectacular battle. This trip to Zhongnan was definitely worth it!
Moreover, after this epic battle, there were not many casualties among ordinary people.

This is even more exciting, as they keep saying that martial arts have reached this level.

"Senior Chu, how impressive!"

"The Crimson Emperor is still as sharp as ever. I just took a look at that underground passage, and it really does run from that mountain hollow, across the arena area, and all the way to the main peak. There are even branch passages inside..."

"I heard that this was dug out by the Red Emperor while suppressing Mofer and controlling the direction of the attack."

"I still think Senior Chu is more impressive. With a sword in hand, he flies freely through the air, and... he's so handsome."

"Hahaha, I knew using a sword was the way out, and it would be easier to find a wife. When I get back to Cangzhou, I'll definitely persuade my master to modify the spear!"

The emperor peered into the crowd, listening as people occasionally veered off-topic but quickly steered the conversation back on track.

With great difficulty, he managed to squeeze to the foot of the main peak of the Seven Mountains of Martial Arts and secretly peeked at the summit.

Hai Donglai stood in an open area on the mountaintop, his red robe making him quite conspicuous.

Commander Nie, General Yang, Brother An, and General Lu who just arrived...

Looking at it this way, the one in blue and white must be Elder Chu.

On top of the mountain.

Chu Tianshu was watching as the crowd carried over bags of moldy locust carcasses.

Hai Donglai took out a few locusts, examined them carefully, and nodded slightly. "The Mountain King has left behind countless mutated locusts and mutated eggs in various places. The ones that appeared in Zhongnan Mountain today are probably just a drop in the ocean, produced by him using materials he found nearby."

"Now that the strain is indeed feasible and the source of the scourge has been eliminated, we should send this Green General to various places to deal with the locusts in the local areas."

As Hai Donglai spoke, Nie Hongxian nodded repeatedly beside him.

Chu Tianshu cautioned, "Although this Green General only targets locusts and is harmless to others, we should still be careful."

"After all, the soil and water conditions vary from place to place. You need to carefully track and investigate. If there are any signs that humans and animals are also infected with this, take immediate control."

Hai Donglai smiled and nodded.

In fact, Hai Donglai's control and research on the body's qi and blood was so exquisite and powerful that if the strains he researched were said to be ineffective against humans, then they must be ineffective.

However, his years of living with these tiny fungi have cultivated an extremely meticulous and rigorous personality.

Chu Tianshu's words were exactly what he wanted to hear.

"Ok?"

Chu Tianshu suddenly sensed something and looked down the mountain.

It wasn't surprising that many people in the mountains were looking this way, but he just sensed that one gaze was different.

Seeing this, Hai Donglai followed his gaze and his eyes narrowed.

"General Lu."

Hai Donglai sighed softly, "Go down and invite His Majesty up."

Lu Youjie exclaimed in surprise, "Which one is His Majesty?"

Hai Donglai pointed and said, "That one wearing a straw hat."

Lu Youjie hurriedly went down the mountain and quickly brought the person back up.

"Master Hai, are you alright?"

When the emperor came up, he had already prepared his words and spoke first, his face full of worry and his eyes glistening with tears.

"If Master Hai is really in trouble, it must be due to internal traitors and external forces. I, the emperor, am most likely the next target. In that case, it would be better to come and see for myself in advance so that I can act accordingly."

"Thank goodness, Heaven still protects our Great Tang!"

Hai Donglai didn't say anything, he just stared at him.

The emperor's tears gradually dried, and he gave two dry laughs.

Seeing this, An Jingsi quickly came to the rescue.

"Your Majesty's arrival is timely. Public sentiment is high right now, and we are currently discussing whether the 'International Martial Arts Competition' should continue."

"However, there is an additional tunnel beneath the arena area. I wonder how much the load-bearing effect of the Tiangong Canal will be affected. I should ask Your Majesty for guidance."

Upon hearing this, the emperor perked up: "Is this really true? I... I should also do my part for this great event of the Tang Dynasty."

Hai Donglai finally looked away and went back to the locusts in his hand.

Chu Tianshu laughed: "Supervisor An, I heard from Brother Donglai that you were born with superhuman strength and had superb boxing skills. It's a bit strange, though, how did you end up in the Crafts Bureau?"

"Now it seems..."

He glanced at the young emperor.

An Jingsi laughed and said, "Back then, His Majesty was in the nursing home researching mechanisms and replaced people's hands and feet with wooden ones, and they were able to move freely."

"I was just passing by when I was captivated by the mechanical devices, bronze oxen and iron horses. I couldn't help but ask him for advice, and we would meet every day at 3 PM. Later I learned that he was His Majesty."

"He was introduced to me and I went to the Imperial Workshop."

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianshu's teasing expression vanished instantly.

"You, the emperor, are you actually designing mechanisms and limbs for the disabled?"

The young emperor keenly sensed that his attitude had become much more amiable, and quickly said, "This was originally something created by the Imperial Workshop."

"They believed that giants and strongmen, whose blood and energy were strong, could regain their fighting strength after becoming disabled and connected to mechanisms, as they had a very high tolerance for them."

"The tricks and schemes I devised were only for ordinary people; they were just parroting what others had learned."

Chu Tianshu chuckled: "Combat strength is certainly important, but how can we neglect the people's livelihood? There are far more disabled ordinary people in the world than giants. If your method can be promoted, wouldn't it benefit the whole world?"

"A thousand years from now, in terms of your reputation, you may not be inferior to Emperor Taizong, but you may even surpass him."

The emperor's face lit up with joy, and he blurted out, "It was not in vain that I came here to visit you. Senior Chu is not only proficient in acupuncture, but he is also a true confidant of mine in this way of governing the world."

He inadvertently revealed his true purpose for sneaking over, and his heart tightened. He quickly went to look at Hai Donglai.

Hai Donglai, however, remained there watching the locusts, without turning around to glare at him.

The emperor secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Only Chu Tianshu noticed that Hai Donglai not only didn't glare at him, but also had a faint smile on his lips.

"I can still teach my disciples well, not only Hongxian and Jun Gong, but also this little rascal..."

Hai Donglai looked up at the sky, and his aura subtly changed.

Everyone was surprised to realize that for a moment, Hai Donglai seemed to have become a mountain, a stream, and a wisp of crimson cloud.

Half of a person's temperament comes from their soul.

At that moment, no one could sense his soul; all they could perceive were the most ordinary yet extraordinary things in the world.

It is ancient and enduring because it does not generate itself, yet it can live on forever.

Chu Tianshu watched intently, his eyes gleaming, noting down every detail he could observe.

"The inherent nature is without leakage..."

The difficulty increases with each of the three levels of thoroughness.

Mahalun's unblemished nature is the first level of achievement.

Hai Donglai, however, is placed in the second category, which is different from what is expected. To those in the know, it is more inspiring!

(End of this chapter)