The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Chapter 233 Time Rewind: The Great Fog

When Chu Luren mentioned Wu Kang, Qiu Chuji fell silent, and even seemed to want to hit him...

“The great hero has considered everything carefully. In that case, let…” Qiu Chuji said, glancing at Yin Zhiping and noticing his expressionless face. He then said, “Let Zhao Zhijing take him as a disciple! Among the second-generation disciples, his martial arts are the highest.” He then looked at Wang Chuyi.

Zhao Zhijing was Wang Chuyi's apprentice, and Wang Chuyi nodded in agreement upon hearing this: "Very good."

That clever kid was clearly unwilling too—the person who had captured him earlier was none other than Zhao Zhijing!

He even had his disciples imprison and guard him. Fortunately, the other party was not too wary because of his age, which gave Yang Guo an opportunity to trap Lu Qingdu inside the house, where he was almost burned to death...

If he were to become Zhao Zhijing's disciple, would the old Taoist priest treat him well? And wouldn't Lu Qingdu become his senior brother?

However, he had no right to speak at this moment. He knew perfectly well that although Uncle Guo loved him, he would never let him act on his whims at a time like this.

Just then, Chu Luren interjected, "Wait a minute, I think this child is clever. Handing him over to... wouldn't be a good thing. Brother Yin, don't you still have a disciple?"

Chu Luren omitted what he wanted to say, but Ma Yu, Wang Chuyi and others knew that he probably meant something like "cunning and scheming"!

When the "Innate Skill" was first taught, Chu Luren used this incident to criticize Zhao Zhijing. Even his master, Wang Chuyi, couldn't say anything about it. Firstly, he didn't believe that Chu Luren would speak ill of Zhao Zhijing without any grudge. Secondly... a master always knows what kind of disciple he is.

Ma Yu and the others looked at Yang Guo. Although they hadn't expected the conflict between master and disciple, considering Yang Guo's father and how precocious Yang Guo was at his age... it was definitely not a good thing for him to have a scheming master!

However, neither Yin Zhiping nor the Seven Sons were interested in Chu Luren's proposal.

Yin Zhiping had no intention of taking on disciples, while the Seven Sons hoped that Yin Zhiping would master the Innate Skill as soon as possible so as to bring glory to the Quanzhen School, and they did not want him to be distracted.

However, before Yin Zhiping could refuse, Chu Luren spoke up: "Brother Yin, I think this child has good talent and temperament. If you don't accept him, I'm thinking of taking him as my disciple!"

Ma Yu and the other seven disciples, along with Guo Juxia, were all greatly shocked upon hearing this...

The seven disciples, in particular, kept glancing at Yin Zhiping, who could only smile wryly and say, "Since Brother Chu has offered to introduce his disciple, then this humble one will naturally accept."

no way!

Even Zhao Zhijing was worried that the disciple would be misled; if he were given to Chu Luren…

That would be terrible! He might be even more of a troublemaker than his father!

Ma Yu and others who were more familiar with Chu Luren acknowledged that Chu Luren was public-spirited and had no moral flaws, except that... he was the kind of public-spirited person who wasn't very upright.

Although Guo Juxia had a good impression of Chu Luren, he was ultimately influenced by the nickname "Red and White Tai Sui" and Chu Luren's reputation in the martial arts world.

Regarding Chu Luren's support for Qiao Feng, Guo Juxia did not think that Chu Luren's actions were particularly rebellious. However, in educating Yang Guo, he hoped that he would become the kind of person who could decisively sever ties with foreign tribes—after all, there was the precedent of his father!

Chu Luren never expected that he would have such a great deal of influence...

"Very well, then congratulations, Brother Yin, on gaining such a fine disciple," Chu Luren said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Seeing that he didn't need to bow to Zhao Zhijing, even though this man also seemed to be a stoic Taoist priest, he was at least better than the wicked Taoist priest. So he immediately bowed down and called him master, thus confirming the relationship.

After paying respects to his master and grandmasters, Guo Juxia reminded them, "Also, thank your Uncle Chu!"

Guo Juxia also understood the origin of "Red and White Tai Sui". This person's personality was indeed strange. Logically speaking, what did it have to do with his junior taking a master?

Whether it's the rules of the underworld or the ways of human relationships, it all seems strange that Chu Luren, a complete outsider, would suddenly criticize Zhao Zhijing and then recommend Yin Zhiping...

Chu Luren didn't have any ulterior motives; he was just thinking that if he really handed it over to Zhao Zhijing, he might have to "send" it to the ancient tomb later. In essence... this was "doing a good deed every day"!

Of course, Guo Juxia could also see that Yin Zhiping was the real treasure among the second-generation disciples, and that Zhao Zhijing was also really problematic. Therefore, he remembered Chu Luren's request and remembered it as a favor.

"Thank you for recommending me, Uncle Chu!" Yang Guo remained obedient in front of Guo Jing.

However, Chu Luren said, "Why call me Uncle? It makes me sound old. Call me Brother!"

Everyone: ...

Yin Zhiping was also taken aback—Brother Chu, who didn't suffer any losses today, why did he take the initiative to be a generation younger than me?

“Let’s each go our own way! If we start from my Uncle Duan’s lineage, I’m at least of the same generation as you, Master Ma, right?” Chu Luren said with a wave of his hand.

The Seven Masters of Quanzhen: ...

How did you manage to make such a mess of our Quanzhen Sect?

Guo Juxia also realized more and more that there was no such thing as a wrong nickname!

"Let's get back to the important business we were discussing," Chu Luren suddenly brought up the subject.

Everyone present looked puzzled, wondering to themselves – had we discussed anything important before? Hadn't we just finished discussing the important matters?

"Rongrong, where were we?"

"Master Guo said your Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms are also quite good."

The two of them spoke in unison. As soon as Huang Rong finished speaking, Chu Luren immediately changed his expression to one of regret and said, "Master Guo is too kind. I am still far from being able to do this much..." Time seemed to have been forcibly reversed to before Master Guo interrupted him.

Guo Juxia, who was completely bewildered: ? ? ?

Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, and Wang Chuyi, who felt a strong sense of déjà vu watching this scene: ...

You actually just forced it on me like that?

"I learned this palm technique from my elder brother. Not long ago, I also discussed it with Chief Hong of the Northern Beggars' Clan. Unfortunately, the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms of the two clans have been passed down for a long time and are quite different. If we could know what the predecessors originally thought, that would be the best."

After Chu Luren finished speaking with a deep expression, he glanced, glanced, glanced.

Guo Juxia: ...

Let alone Guo Jing, who had been in Xiangyang for over a decade, even the simple-minded Guo Jing could understand what Chu Luren meant!

Yang Guo, still just a kid, was utterly amazed by this "Brother Chu." If he hadn't been so fond of him, he would surely have taken advantage of his innocent childhood to join Guo Jing in making sarcastic remarks. But now, he found "Brother Chu" quite amusing, and wished he had actually become his disciple before...

Guo Juxia thought about the favor Chu Luren had done for him before, and it was not easy to refuse such a direct approach: "Brother Chu, if you don't mind, my Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms just happened to be obtained from the legacy of the reclusive knight. I also have some free time these days, so we can... have a friendly spar."

Chapter 234 Cultivating Techniques as Strength

Guo Jing's stay at the Quanzhen Sect was limited, as there must have been many things to do in Xiangyang.

However, during these limited two days, Guo Juxia and Chu Luren discussed martial arts and had a very happy time... at least Chu Luren felt that they should have been very happy.

After all, what could be more enjoyable than discussing martial arts?

In terms of martial arts skills, Guo Juxia may not be able to match Chu Luren, after all, Chu Luren knows a great deal of profound martial arts.

However, like Hong Qigong, if it came to a palm strike, Chu Luren would be no match for Guo Juxia—not only because of the depth of his internal strength, but also because of the difference in their mastery of palm techniques.

In terms of internal strength, Guo Jing was the weakest among the three who were proficient in the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. Although he was several years older than Qiao Feng, his internal strength was only slightly better than that of Chu Luren under the Dream God.

Judging from his understanding of martial arts, Chu Luren estimated that he did not have the "Nine Yin Manual adventure" like Guo Jing in the original work, and actually practiced the most basic "Quanzhenxin Manual"!

Although Guo Juxia had his own insights in this regard, he was still based on the Quanzhen Internal Energy Method. It is no wonder that his internal energy was only of an average level of profundity. Among first-class masters, it was not outstanding. Even the steady and stable Quanzhen internal energy was not suitable for a powerful palm technique like the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

If Hong Qigong only possessed the internal strength of Guo Jing, Chu Luren could still achieve a 50/50 chance without sudden enlightenment!

However, in reality, if they were to actually exchange blows, Chu Luren would not be a match for Guo Juxia, because Guo Juxia's understanding of the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms" had reached a level of unparalleled mastery!

Techniques refer to the way internal energy circulates in the meridians and is released outside the body; some techniques also involve force exertion.

Specific techniques have fixed meridian pathways, which is why it's not easy to learn too many techniques—otherwise, during daily meridian circulation, they would conflict with each other, requiring adjustments when executing a move.

In the equipment slots, besides movement technique and lightness skill, the three "technique" slots will cause a slight disturbance in internal energy when changing them. Normally, it's fine and can be adjusted in a few breaths, but changing them during combat will definitely reveal a flaw.

Only the martial arts skills one is proficient in can be used at all times...

Guo Juxia has reached a completely new level, having mastered the "Dragon Subduing Strength" using the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms".

"Dragon Subduing Force" is no longer confined to the form of internal force circulation, nor does it rely solely on meridians. It is not only equivalent to palm technique force in itself, but can even be stored in the dantian.

The energy in the dantian is normally internal energy cultivated through internal strength training. Only when this internal energy circulates in the meridians can it be transformed into the nature of "techniques," just like the difference between a generator and an electrical circuit.

After cultivating the "Dragon Subduing Strength," it's as if the internal energy itself has the properties of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

The reason why Guo Juxia could seemingly casually unleash the power of the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms" lies precisely in this!

The palm techniques generated by the "Dragon Subduing Force" naturally have the effect of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. However, this force is different from internal force in the human body and cannot be "stored" indefinitely. Guo Juxia himself claimed that "at most, it can only be thirty or fifty strikes."

After the energy is depleted, you can replenish it by striking a few more times in a certain order.

In combat, directly using the "Dragon Subduing Force" can have even greater power than usual!

Guo Juxia's "Dragon Subduing Force" is derived from the Quanzhen Martial Arts and does not have a strong explosive power. However, Guo Juxia developed it to have a long-lasting effect.

Normally, when he strikes out with a palm, in addition to the palm force itself, there are three follow-up forces, making it impossible to defend against. If he uses the "Dragon Subduing Force", there will be thirteen follow-up forces when he strikes out with a palm!

When Chu Luren first clashed palms with Guo Juxia, he was slightly injured by a palm strike with seven-tenths of Guo Juxia's strength...

This is also one of the biggest gains Chu Luren has made from his exchanges with Master Guo these past two days—the skills can indeed be mastered more deeply!

In fact, the Chu Lu people's "Xiao Guixu Jin" has some of the characteristics of "Jin". It does not rely solely on the meridians, but is emitted throughout the whole body at all times. Otherwise, if it is only in the meridians, it will not have the effect of physical defense.

However, since the "Minor Returning to the Void Force" does not return to the dantian, it does not affect the fundamental nature of "qi". After all, this martial art is special in itself, and it is not because Chu Luren's realm has reached a certain level.

As for the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms" itself, Guo Juxia's "Hermit's Legacy Version" was not exactly disappointing to Chu Luren, but it did not meet Chu Luren's expectations!

The Southern Dragon Subduing Technique combines strength and gentleness, while the Northern Dragon Subduing Technique complements its steady and aggressive nature. Furthermore, the Chu Deer Man's fusion with the Southern Dragon Subduing Technique's Six Yang Palms of Tianshan achieves a balance of Yin and Yang...

Chu Luren had originally hoped that the original version of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms would have emphasized the distinction between purity and turbidity—in that case, the principles of strength and gentleness, stability and agitation, yin and yang, purity and turbidity would all be present!

At that time, the Chu Lu people will definitely not hesitate to incorporate "Ancient Dragon Subduing" and "Northern Dragon Subduing" into "Dragon's Journey Through Heaven and Earth Twenty-Eight Styles".

Unfortunately, the original Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms was a relatively stable palm technique, quite different from the two versions of the Northern and Southern Subduing Dragon Palms that had been refined over generations, but it had little to do with the debate on purity versus turbidity.

Therefore, Chu Luren was still somewhat hesitant about how to integrate the palm techniques of the Dragon Subduing lineage.

If we were to gather all eight to form the "Eight Trigrams," it would be quite easy for the Chu Lu people—the Nine Yin Divine Claw is a typical example of something that can be either pure or impure; when impure, its claws are vicious and insidious, while when pure, they are majestic and powerful...

Chu Luren had not yet decided whether or not to bring the "Nine Yin Divine Claw".

Two days later, Guo Juxia was to return to Xiangyang, and Chu Luren also bid farewell to Chongyang Palace—the sect leader was having his birthday nearby, so they couldn't just not go back, could they?

"Brother Chu, then we shall part ways here... Guo'er, from now on you must listen to your master and grandmasters!" After bidding farewell to Chu Luren, Guo Juxia gave Yang Guo these instructions.

"Uncle Guo, don't worry! Your nephew will definitely study martial arts well and help you resist foreign enemies in the future." Although Yang Guo has joined the Quanzhen Sect, he is still just a lay disciple. After completing his studies, he can leave the sect.

Of course, this "separation" does not mean betraying one's master and ancestors, but rather nominally "separating" from the Quanzhen School. When he fights against the Mongols, the blame cannot be placed on the Quanzhen School.

Just like Zhang Zhaozhong of Wudang, who has now surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, this has nothing to do with Wudang and does not represent Wudang's position. However, he would never dare to say that he does not recognize Wudang as his sect.

"Brother Guo, have a safe journey. If you encounter any trouble in Xiangyang in the future, please let me know if it can be resolved in the martial world." Chu Luren also clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Then on behalf of the people and soldiers of Xiangyang, I thank Brother Chu!" Guo Juxia was very pleased.

Guo Juxia naturally understood what Chu Luren meant by "the affairs of the martial world are settled in the martial world"—if the Mongols wanted to infiltrate Xiangyang in the martial arts world, or if they needed someone with high martial arts skills to do a special task, they could ask him for help.

On the contrary, if it's about long-term garrison duty or serving as a super soldier on the battlefield, then please don't even mention it. Chu Luren has no intention of joining the Xiangyang heroes.