Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Chapter 197 Mastery of Tai Chi (4k2)

Li Fu glanced at the various sect leaders who were still indignant and confused, and slowly said.

"It's actually not hard to figure out; you just need to look at it from the opposite perspective."

In recent years, the Kongtong Sect has been dissatisfied with the Quanzhen Sect, which was established only a few decades ago, rising to prominence and becoming the leader of the Northern Daoist sects.

The Kongtong School was ambitious and had repeatedly shown a willingness to challenge and replace the other schools.

Conversely, when faced with such a historically significant, powerful, and clearly ambitious challenger, did the Quanzhen Sect truly accept the challenge without any reservations?

They probably see the Kongtong Sect as a thorn in their side, a thorn in their flesh.

"However, since its founder Chongyang Zhenren, the Quanzhen Sect has left the world with too positive an impression, too pure and harmonious, so much so that people think that the Quanzhen Sect is detached from worldly affairs, indifferent to fame and fortune, and would never have evil thoughts because of the struggle for sect status, let alone seek help from the tiger or collude with foreign enemies."

This ingrained impression has blinded people to the truth.

Many seasoned veterans of the martial arts world were startled, as if waking from a dream!

Yes, they have been focusing their attention on the ambitions of the Kongtong Sect, but they have subconsciously overlooked the fact that the Quanzhen Sect is also a martial arts sect, and it also has its own sectarian views and the instinct to protect its own status!

In terms of the long history and profound heritage of the Daoist lineage, there are very few Daoist sects in the world that can compare with the Dong Sect, or even any at all.

Only Laoshan can barely compare, but Laoshan has always maintained a peaceful and unassuming atmosphere, never competing or vying for attention.

If the Kongtong Sect truly intends to vie for the position of leader of the Northern Daoist Sect, the threat it poses to the Quanzhen Sect is real and not an exaggeration!

Liu Changzhen clapped his hands lightly, a look of appreciation on his face, and nodded.

"Officer Li's insight is astute, and what he says is correct. However," he said, "there is one more point."

Just then, several Quanzhen Sect disciples standing at a distance took out several signal arrows from their pockets and pulled the fuses into the sky!

"Swoosh—Bang!" "Swoosh—Bang!"

A sharp whistling sound accompanied by an explosion, and several streaks of fire and thick smoke shot into the sky, exploding above Chongyang Palace in Zhongnan Mountain, extremely conspicuous!

Almost at the same time the arrow was launched!

"kill--!!!"

From all directions below the mountain, a deafening roar of battle cries suddenly erupted!

The voice was deep and chaotic, definitely not a Central Plains accent, but full of the fierceness and savagery unique to the grasslands!

Immediately afterwards, large numbers of people poured out from the rooftops of the palaces and the mountain passes surrounding the square!

There were Tibetan lamas wearing red and yellow robes and rooster-crest hats, as well as many fierce-looking grassland warriors wearing fur coats, carrying scimitars and bows and arrows, mixed together with a large number of Quanzhen disciples with cold eyes, holding weapons, and subtly confronting other sects around them!

They surged in like a tide, quickly surrounding the entire Chongyang Palace Square. Swords were drawn, bows and arrows were nocked, and the air was thick with murderous intent!

Liu Changzhen stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the crowd and Li Fu who were caught in the chaos and fear, and slowly spoke.

"What my Quanzhen Sect wants is never just to get rid of the troublesome Kongtong Sect."

Today, all the sects of the Northern Earth Daoist School have gathered on Zhongnan Mountain, which is quite fitting.

Those who uphold the Quanzhen School as their leader, serve their sect, and work together for a great cause can have their sect and lives preserved;

Otherwise, I'll stay on Zhongnan Mountain forever!

In the blink of an eye, a large number of Tibetan lamas and grassland warriors swarmed out, and together with some Quanzhen disciples who were prepared, they surrounded the various factions in the square. Swords clashed and the air was thick with murderous intent.

"So many Mongol Tartars."

The Mongol Yuan dynasty was indeed plotting an attack!

Faced with this sudden and dramatic change, the members of the various factions hastily drew their weapons, formed a formation back to back, and wore solemn and horrified expressions on their faces, indicating that the situation was extremely unfavorable.

Despite being surrounded, Li Fu remained calm, his eyes cold as he looked at Liu Changzhen.

"You also mentioned that you saw the Song Dynasty was corrupt and weak, and you thought you couldn't withstand the Mongol army, so you simply surrendered to the foreign race in exchange for the wealth and glory of your Quanzhen Sect, and even to satisfy your personal ambitions, is that right?"

Before Liu Changzhen could answer, a deep, resonant Chinese voice with a peculiar Tibetan accent came from behind the crowd.

There is a saying in the Central Plains: "Those who understand the times are heroes," and another saying: "A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on."

Master Liu followed the will of Heaven and made plans in advance; there was something amiss.

The crowd parted, and a group of people escorted a monk of exceptionally tall and robust stature as he walked over.

This man was around forty years old, with a thick black beard under his chin, dressed in a dark red Tibetan lama robe, and wearing a tall rooster-crest dharma hat.

He was much taller than ordinary people. When he stood there, the people around him only reached his shoulders. His muscles and bones were unusually thick and strong, like the gnarled roots of an ancient tree. Every inch of his skin seemed to contain terrifying power. Anyone could tell that this person must have been born with superhuman strength and a naturally tough and muscular build.

This middle-aged monk had a rugged face, but there seemed to be a deep wisdom hidden between his brows. His eyes shone brightly with every movement. Standing there, he naturally exuded a majestic and imposing aura, like a Vajra King descending to earth, which made people's hearts tremble.

This person was none other than Venerable Shikong, the former number one martial artist in Tibet and the leader of the Longxiang Dazang Sect. He was also the mastermind behind the Mongol Yuan forces' disruption of the Northern Earth Dao Sect and the planning of the massacre of the Taishan Sect.

Venerable Shikong's gaze swept across the entire room, finally landing on Li Fu, his words carrying an intimidating air of authority.

"The Song Dynasty was corrupt and decadent, plagued by internal strife, unable to defend against powerful enemies, and unable to bring peace to the people."

The nation's power is declining day by day, like a river flowing downhill.

Anyone with eyes can see that under the iron cavalry of the grasslands, they will soon be like eggs in an overturned nest, collapsing in the blink of an eye.

Master Liu was simply aware of his destiny and took the first step to ensure the survival of the Taoist lineage and to provide a way for his disciples to make a living.

The Great Khan is exceptionally wise and magnanimous. He greatly admires Liu Zhenren's profound understanding of righteousness and has promised that when my iron cavalry tramples the Central Plains, Liu Zhenren will be appointed by the Mongol Yuan Dynasty as the Grand Master of the Central Plains Taoist School and the leader of all Taoist schools in the world!

This is in accordance with the times and to jointly build a new order; how can it be considered betrayal?

"What did you say? Who would be destroyed by your grasslands!"

Our land is vast and rich in resources, and heroes abound.

"If you dare, then come on! Let's see who is destroyed by whom!"

Many martial arts heroes in the arena, though angry and rebuking him, couldn't help but feel a sense of heaviness and lack of confidence upon hearing this!

Even Li Fu had to admit that, given the current state of the Great Zhao, without a great ruler to emerge and turn the tide, it was highly likely, if not inevitable, that it would be destroyed by the Mongol Yuan dynasty.

From this perspective, Liu Changzhen may not be worrying unnecessarily; he was indeed making plans in advance.

But Li Fu said coldly.

"Making plans early is important, but it's also important to consider what those plans are. Some plans, no matter how wise, should never be made."

For example, attaching oneself to a foreign race, being obsequious, betraying one's own people, and letting wolves into the house—these are acts that abhor both gods and men.

His gaze shot towards Venerable Shikong like lightning.

"Are you Venerable Shikong?"

The former number one martial artist in Tibet?

I heard that when Lobsang Gyaltsen subdued you, he also seemed to promise you that you would become the leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

"It's a pity to see you like this today. Wearing a monk's robe that looks like a tiger's skin, and a monk's hat that looks like a dog's skin, you look fierce and menacing, just like your men—a complete mismatch."

Although Venerable Shikong, as the number one martial artist in Tibet, did not seem like a highly accomplished Buddhist monk, Li Fu could naturally feel the masterly demeanor and the imposing aura of a descended king or a wrathful Vajra in his every move.

But he would never boost the enemy's morale; his words were full of sarcasm and contempt.

Venerable Shikong did not get angry, but laughed instead.

"Li Fu!"

Before I entered the Central Plains, I had never heard of your name.

But ever since I entered the Central Plains, your name has frequently appeared in my ears!

The Holy Mani has entrusted me with the grand plan of unifying the Northern Daoist Sect of the Central Plains. Everything was going smoothly. The Taishan Sect has been eliminated, and the Kongtong Sect is about to be attacked by all sides. The Northern Daoist Sect is in turmoil, and everyone will have blood on their hands and will no longer be innocent. In the future, they will no longer need to insist on upholding righteousness and pretending to be noble, and they will not submit to my grasslands.

—Until you appeared!

You killed four Dharma Protectors of my Dragon Elephant Great Treasury Sect, ruining my grand plan, but—”

He changed the subject, and a hint of admiration and regret appeared in his eyes.

"You are so young, yet your martial arts have reached such a level. You were able to kill my four guardians. You are truly a rare talent that I have never seen before in my life!"

As long as you are willing to abandon darkness and embrace light like Liu Zhenren, and submit to the Emperor's tutor and the Buddha's son, all past transgressions can be forgiven. In the Great Zhao court, you are merely a fourth or fifth-rank purple-robed constable. With your extraordinary martial arts skills, it is truly a waste of your talents!

If you are willing to serve me, I can recommend you to the Imperial Preceptor. When the Mongol Yuan Dynasty conquers the Central Plains, the position of Chief Constable of the Six Doors of the Great Zhao will be yours!

Commanding all the constables in the land, wielding immense power, wouldn't that far surpass your current situation?

These words shocked everyone present!

To everyone's utter surprise, Venerable Shikong valued Li Fujing so highly that he even set aside the hatred of the killing of the Four Dharma Kings and the ruin of the grand plan, and offered him such a high position and generous salary!

It's no wonder that despite the many kingdoms in the Western Regions being destroyed by the Mongol steppes in recent years, many people are still willing to serve the Mongol Yuan after their kingdoms are destroyed, and the Yuan court is attracting more and more talented people.

Many people felt a sudden tightness in their chests.

They had to admit that with the martial arts skills Li Fu had demonstrated, he was more than qualified to be the chief constable of the Six Doors. The difference in status and power between a mere purple-robed constable and the chief constable who commanded all the constables in the world was like heaven and earth.

Will Li Fu be tempted?

However, Li Fu only let out a cold laugh, his contempt undisguised.

"It's best to say less about daydreaming."

Do you think I would be like this Sect Leader Liu, cowardly and willing to become a lackey of a foreign race, helping outsiders to harm my own homeland?

The words "lackey" were spoken without any politeness, as sharp and grating as steel needles.

Liu Changzhen's face also showed a hint of anger, and he said sternly.

"What do you know, Li Fu!"

My master entrusted the Quanzhen School to me, and I cannot allow its thousand-year-old tradition to be cut off in my hands!

Do you really think that the current corrupt Song-Zhao court can withstand the Mongol cavalry?!

I must make plans for the continuation of the Quanzhen School as soon as possible.

I have gained the Khan's favor and have the Khan's approval. The Quanzhen Sect can not only truly unify the Taoist sects in the north, but also surpass the Celestial Masters Sect in the south, and become the leader of the entire Central Plains Taoist sect in one fell swoop!

"The power and prestige of the Quanzhen Sect will reach an unprecedented peak under my leadership—a position that outsiders perceive as merely capable of maintaining the status quo—surpassing even the time when Patriarch Chongyang was alive!"

Liu Changzhen's words finally revealed his true thoughts and ambitions.

"Now a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is before me, and I must seize it."

In the future, Daoist disciples will only record that the Quanzhen School was founded by Master Chongyang, but it was under the leadership of Master Changzhen that it truly flourished!

His ambitious expression made him seem like a complete stranger to everyone who knew him as the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, as if they were seeing him for the first time.

"The martial arts world is indeed never short of all sorts of ambitious people."

Li Fu shook his head slightly, a hint of mockery on his lips.

With Liu Changzhen's confession, today's conspiracy to fight among the martial arts world in the Central Plains has been completely foiled, and the truth has come to light.

The celestial book reappeared before his eyes, its radiance flowing.

A villain set up a scheme, attempting to incite infighting among the Northern Daoist sects of the Central Plains through treacherous plots, causing bloodshed among their comrades, severely damaging their vitality, and leaving everyone with blood on their hands.

Fortunately, a chivalrous hero, with keen insight and keen perception, turned the tide at the critical moment when the crowd was in a frenzy and the situation was extremely tense. He revealed the truth, leaving the evil spirits nowhere to hide and averting a catastrophe.

[Reward: Mastery of Tai Chi!]

In an instant, countless profound mysteries, techniques, principles of Yin and Yang, dynamics and stillness, and transformations of emptiness and fullness, hardness and softness of Tai Chi Chuan flowed into Li Fu's mind and thoughts like a gentle stream or a sudden enlightenment.

This is a supreme martial art created by the founder of Wudang at the age of one hundred, integrating all his life's learning. It has lofty aspirations and its profound and mysterious nature, as well as its vast and expansive artistic conception, are truly remarkable.

Even the Whirlwind Dance Willow Sword Intent he had previously obtained was inferior to it.

In the blink of an eye, Li Fu mastered this unique martial art to perfection.

"What a pity, what a pity."

When Venerable Shikong saw that Li Fu was ungrateful and refused to be recruited, he shook his head and sighed, his eyes turning completely cold.

"Li Fu, since you refuse to accept our offer and insist on joining the other stubborn fools, then today, we have no choice but to send you and the other clueless members of the Central Plains Northern Underground Sect to your deaths here!"

His gaze swept over the people from all the major factions, and his voice boomed as he issued his final ultimatum.

"Now, I'm giving you all one last chance: those who obey me live, those who defy me die!"

Those who kneel and surrender can save their lives and may even gain wealth and a promising future.

Those who resist to the bitter end will be killed without mercy!

However, among the heroes from various factions in the north, although they were surrounded and faced with a powerful enemy, and although they might feel tense and fearful, not one of them showed any sign of cowardice or submission.

After a brief silence, an angry roar erupted.

"Pooh!

"You Tartar monk, stop your wild words!"

"How can we, the fine men of the Central Plains, kneel before you barbarians?!"

"Better to be a broken piece of jade than a whole piece of tile!"

"You want us to surrender? Dream on!"

"Liu Changzhen, you are unworthy of being a disciple of Taoism! You have colluded with foreign invaders and harmed your fellow practitioners. You will surely die a horrible death!"

The leaders of several sects, including the Laoshan Sect, Huangshan Sect, and Hengshan Sect, were furious and swore an oath to the heavens that they would fight the enemy to the death and would never become slaves of foreign races.

Some people even shouted at Liu Changzhen: "Liu Changzhen, as a fellow Taoist, I used to have great respect for you and felt that I was far inferior to you."

But if it were me, even if the Mongol emperor himself promised me to be the leader of the Taoist community in the Central Plains, I would never stoop to such a despicable and shameless act of betraying my fellow believers!

Now it seems you're not even as good as me, no, you've wasted your life, you're worse than a pig or a dog!

These harsh words turned Liu Changzhen's face ashen, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent.

"Stubborn and unyielding, you're courting death!"

Seeing that the surrender was ineffective, Venerable Shikong lost the last trace of warmth in his eyes. He suddenly waved his hand and shouted sharply.

"kill!

"Fight to the very end, and those who don't kneel and surrender will be killed without exception!"

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