Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 33: Put Down the Law, Pick Up the Knife (Please continue reading)

"What, you unfilial disciple? You've only learned a few of my skills, and you already want to betray your master and ancestors?"

Wu Song's lips curled into a grin, and the scars on his face twisted, making him look like a centipede that had come to life...

Liu Sheng was terrified.

He calmed down, apologized to Wu Song, and settled the old woman and her daughter Yu Niang before going to the main room...

"Boom boom boom!"

He pushed aside mountains of gold and pillars of jade, kowtowed several times to Wu Song, and solemnly said:

"It's not that the disciple is disrespectful, but the government has issued a warrant for your arrest, posting notices along major roads in nearby prefectures and counties..."

Liu Sheng spoke sincerely and recounted his experiences of the day in detail, concluding with:

"Now the Suspended Mirror Division has its eyes on the disciple. They even deliberately tested him earlier by asking to come to his house to ask for water, but for some reason, they suddenly changed their minds."

I reckon they're playing the long game, trying to find out your whereabouts, Master, from me…

Wu Song looked at Liu Sheng calmly, remained silent for a moment, and then said regretfully:

"What a pity... that these corrupt officials escaped with their lives."

As he spoke, he pressed down on the monk's knife resting on his lap, his tone laced with disdain:
"It was this captain, whose rank was too low. It's his good fortune to die under my blade."

I knew it!

I knew it would be like this!

In the master's eyes, there is nothing that cannot be resolved with a single stroke; if there is, then another stroke will do.

Liu Sheng felt a toothache, lowered his head, and muttered to himself.

At this moment, Wu Song spoke again, lowering his gaze and gently stroking the blade:
"Are you blaming me?"

Master, would you dare to remove your hand from the knife before asking me?

Don't think I'm afraid of you. I, Liu, have studied and practiced martial arts, and have developed a proud spirit. I have always been indomitable and dare to speak the truth!
"No complaints!"

Liu Sheng spoke with unwavering conviction and conviction.

Finally, he added in a low voice:

"If I had to say something, it would be that I was unlucky enough not to meet my master earlier and receive his teachings and practice martial arts."

As a result, I am unable to help my master in the slightest today…

Wu Song fell silent. After a long while, he removed his hand from the knife and sighed softly.
"If I had been even a fraction as cunning as you, I wouldn't be in this state today."

“Master, every word I have said is from the heart, and Heaven and Earth can bear witness to it.”

Liu Sheng pointed to the sky and swore an oath, his expression solemn.

Yes, if in a past life I had such an awesome master—

I've long ago...

Wu Song, unaware of Liu Sheng's thoughts, was moved upon hearing this.

In this world, heaven and earth possess spirits, and all beings, whether human or demon, value oaths.

Those who break their oath will surely be punished by Heaven!

My disciple dares to swear to heaven that his heart is sincere.

It seems that everything he said earlier came from the bottom of his heart…

I misunderstood him!
A hint of guilt flashed across Wu Song's eyes, and he said in a muffled voice:
"Get up, the ground is cold."

"Yes."

Liu Sheng responded and stood up.

Then Wu Song said again:

"What you said earlier is not without reason. It is indeed not appropriate for me to stay with you any longer."

He reached into his robes, pulled out a book, stroked it for a long time, and then handed it to Liu Sheng:

"This is the first volume of the Black Tiger Zen Sutra, which I compiled by integrating all my knowledge."

Originally, it was intended to rebuild the Zen temple to continue the lineage of the Dharma.

Now… I am passing this on to you ahead of schedule, hoping you will not forget your vow to rebuild the Zen monastery and continue the Dharma lineage.”

"This disciple will never forget!"

Liu Sheng responded, stepped forward and accepted it with both hands, and a line of ink-wash characters immediately appeared before his eyes…

[Spiritual Points +1027]

Oh open!

Liu Sheng was shocked. A book handwritten by his master actually contained more than a thousand points of spiritual energy!
This is the largest sum of money he has ever earned.

This is only the first volume!

What about the middle and lower volumes?

The attached spiritual energy points should be quite substantial!
Is this transmission of skills also going to be done in stages?
Why did you only give me the first volume?
"Don't be ungrateful!" Seeing Liu Sheng staring intently at the person in his arms, Wu Song chuckled and scolded, but still explained:

"The first volume, 'Refining Essence,' covers the four realms of Qi and Blood, Tendons and Bones, Internal Organs, and True Form, which is enough for you to practice for a long time."

As for the middle and lower volumes, that depends on your future actions.

Liu Sheng nodded, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

This is only to be expected.

The matter of succession has always been handled with utmost care, requiring repeated examinations and even various tests to verify one's character and integrity until they pass the test.

Wu Song had only known him for a few days before establishing a master-disciple relationship, yet he bestowed upon him a scroll of true teachings…

This move is truly astonishing and unprecedented in the world.

"Practicing martial arts is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. You started later than others, so you must practice diligently and assiduously, and you must never indulge in women..."

Wu Song spoke again, his expression growing increasingly stern.

Liu Sheng nodded hurriedly, his nose inexplicably feeling a little sore, and quickly said:
"Master, I overheard something earlier... that a divine abode is about to appear in the Black Wind Mountain..."

"I came here specifically for that cave dwelling."

Wu Song's eyes were subtle as he glanced at Liu Sheng and warned him in a deep voice:
"Your cultivation is too weak; you should not get involved in this matter, lest you lose your life."

"The disciple understands."

Wu Song was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"From my observation, you tend to plan before you act, and you are good at being patient, but you are also too rigid in following the rules and too eager for perfection."

Those corrupt officials have always used the law to bully people; the more law-abiding you are, the more they will play into your hands.

It should be understood that officials have two mouths; they can say one thing or another, and whether someone is guilty or innocent depends entirely on their own whim.

A true man, born between heaven and earth, how can he entrust his life and fortune to such pigs and dogs?

hiss!
Master, is it something I should listen to?
Liu Sheng was shaken, his mouth went dry, and then he heard Wu Song's voice again...

His voice was like thunder, every word startling:
"What they fear most is someone like me, who puts down the law and picks up a knife."

What heavenly laws and imperial rules, national laws and family regulations? Screw them!
If you anger me, I will kill you so that you will be childless and your entire family will be wiped out!
They were so terrified that they could neither eat nor sleep!
At that point, they started speaking like human beings and reclaimed fairness and morality...

Bah! You son of a bitch, you shameless bastard!

Master!

If you find me, your apprentice, an eyesore, just chop me up...

Such blatant rebellious remarks are terrifying!

Liu Sheng broke out in a cold sweat, feeling as if his master was a celestial killer descended to earth, every word exuding a murderous aura.

"Today, I will teach you one last thing..."

Wu Song gave Liu Sheng a deep look, then picked up his dagger and walked outside.

"A storm begins with a ripple, and a wave is formed from a small ripple; one should never act with wishful thinking."

If you suspect something is wrong, then something is definitely wrong.

"Since you already suspect that commander of the Suspended Mirror Division, you should quickly kill him to prevent future troubles..."

He was incredibly fast; before he could finish speaking, he was already gone.

Only one red fruit remained on the seat, its exotic fragrance wafting through the humble room.

"Master..."

Liu Sheng opened his mouth, with a thousand words in his heart, but when it came to his lips, only this low murmur remained.

Just then, a tiger's roar echoed through the village, shocking the surrounding area and sending a chilling aura through the sky.

Liu Sheng quickly transformed into a blue sparrow with a blade-tailed tail and flew away, whereupon he saw…

A flash of light pierced the sky, making even the sun pale in comparison.

Yan Ning, the constables, the militiamen, and Captain Huang, who were scouting the village, were among them...

After a slight pause, their heads started flying off.

In an instant, blood fell like rain.

A figure, bathed in blood, walked forward, like a bodhisattva traversing hell.

He suddenly turned around, glanced at the bluebird in mid-air, smiled with relief, but his face was fierce.

Soon after, in Shanyang County, the roar of a tiger shook the heavens, and the light of blades ripped through the air…

The county government office collapsed into ruins, with only the main hall remaining standing.

On the table inside, there were stacks of heads, including County Magistrate Zheng Deqing, his son Zheng Yuning, Master Gu, County Assistant, Registrar, Clerk, and several clerks from the six departments and the three shifts of yamen runners.

Beneath the plaque that reads "A Clear Mirror Hangs High" are five large, blood-stained characters—

The murderer was Wu Song.

(End of this chapter)