The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Xiaoyaozi must be the founder of the sect without a doubt, right? After all, his Taoist title speaks for itself...

Otherwise, wouldn't Xiaoyaozi be the founder, and even deliberately choose a Taoist name that matches the sect's name? That's too mischievous...

However, after Wu Yazi and Chu Luren explained it to him, he finally understood the reason!

It wasn't that Xiaoyaozi was being mischievous; rather, all the sect leaders throughout history had been called "Xiaoyaozi"—with the exception of Wuyazi.

His position as sect leader is actually somewhat controversial. Normally, when sect leaders pass on their skills, they pass on their power to the next generation of sect leader.

As long as both parties cultivate the "Northern Darkness Divine Art", they can receive the initiation directly without wasting their internal energy!

In this way, the Xiaoyaozi of each generation possessed extremely terrifying internal strength, standing directly on the threshold of the "Knocking on the Heavenly Gate"—Wuyazi also knew the saying "Knocking on the Heavenly Gate".

Simply knocking on the gates of heaven is not enough; it requires "depth." Therefore, one will forever remain at the threshold.

However, Wu Yazi's master went on a sea voyage and never returned. Before leaving, he entrusted the sect leader's ring and the "Free and Easy Wind Control" to Wu Yazi for safekeeping. Besides, only Wu Yazi had cultivated the "Northern Darkness Divine Art," so he was the sect leader...

However, since the most important initiation was not performed, and the previous generation's Xiaoyaozi was merely "missing," Wuyazi did not change his Daoist name.

Similarly, Chu Luren doesn't need to change anything, since he doesn't cultivate the "Northern Darkness Divine Art" and cannot receive Wu Yazi's empowerment.

Not to mention that after the initiation, Wu Yazi will also be exhausted and dying. Now, after just getting rid of Ding Chunqiu, although he knows that his wife has remarried, he has also seen his granddaughter. It is time for him to enjoy his old age!

“Alas, judging by the years, in another year or two it will be the time when your master’s ‘Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme’ will be able to regain his youth. At that time, your master will definitely try to obstruct it. As the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect, you should resolve this matter!” Wu Yazi said in a serious tone.

Hmm, this is the first time Chu Luren has heard of such a crime of passion, which is actually within the scope of the sect leader's mediation—is this the main reason why the ring was given to me?

"This disciple of the sect leader will certainly live up to your expectations," Chu Luren replied.

As a result, he was glared at by Wu Yazi again—he had never heard of anyone calling themselves "disciple of the sect leader" in relation to their master!

Chu Luren will indeed take care of matters concerning his senior and junior uncles...

Lingjiu Palace is not necessary, since it has already been expanded considerably. All that can be rightfully inherited is the land.

Moreover, it's not the time for just a few big cats and little cats to stay here. Tong Lao has taken in so many girls from the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments, so Chu Luren has no interest in being the dormitory manager for the girls!

However, Chu Luren desperately desired the "Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme Technique"...

Previously, Chu Luren obtained the "Free and Easy Wind Control" from Wu Yazi. It is said that the martial arts of the Free and Easy Sect are all derived from this "Free and Easy Wind Control". Perhaps it is because it is too high-level that even the second generation patriarch did not master it. Instead, he broke it down into three ultimate skills: "Northern Darkness Divine Skill", "Little Formless Skill" and "Eight Desolations and Six Directions: I Am the Only One"!

The three unique skills have very different styles. Chu Luren already has the first two. Chu Luren once complained that if they could really be combined, the predecessors of the Xiaoyao Sect should have combined them long ago.

As it turns out, they really can be fused together, and in fact... they were originally derived from the same unique skill!

However, this "Free and Easy Wind Riding" is too profound and subtle. Although Chu Luren has condensed the badge, it feels like he has memorized some profound mathematical theorem. He understands it, but if he looks into it, he only has a superficial understanding.

The biggest piece of advice Wu Yazi gave Chu Luren regarding the "Three-Part Returning to Origin Qi" was that the "Northern Darkness Divine Art" was incompatible with the middle dantian...

According to the current principle of "three parts returning to the origin of Qi", the "return to the void" of the upper dantian means the end, the place of return, and the meaning of containment. The corresponding middle dantian should mean the beginning, the burgeoning, and the overflowing in martial arts.

Wu Yazi clearly pointed out that to consider the "Northern Darkness Divine Art" merely as an overflowing skill would be too narrow a view of this unique skill of the Free and Unfettered Sect.

The martial arts of the Free and Unfettered School may seem to have different styles, but in essence they all lie in "following the natural way," which is both the beginning and the end.

Therefore, if Chu Luren's Three-Part Returning to Origin Qi is to be further developed, he should at least integrate the Northern Darkness martial arts into the Chaos Technique of the lower dantian, and then comprehend a martial art that truly has the meaning of beginning, flourishing, and overflowing, as the middle dantian.

Of course, Wu Yazi only put forward a theory. In reality, he only had a slight understanding of "Free and Easy Wind Control". If he were to actually cultivate the Three-Part Returning Origin Qi, he probably wouldn't even be able to take the first step.

Chu Luren had a good idea—to directly use "Free and Easy Wind Control" as the foundation, and merge "Northern Darkness Kun Nurturing Skill" and "Chaos Skill" as his main internal skill, achieving the goal in one step!

However, this still carries risks. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to grasp the core principles first. Currently, the "puzzle" is missing a piece: the "Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme Technique." Chu Luren will definitely need to gather all the pieces and gain a thorough understanding of the three great techniques of the Free and Unfettered Sect before attempting to integrate them...

Wu Yazi's position as sect leader was not entirely legitimate to begin with, and he also had a conflict with his senior sister over matters of the heart. Naturally, he would not have the secret manual of "Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme Technique", so Chu Luren had to find a way on his own.

Chapter 443 This must be a setup!

Meanwhile, Chu Luren inherited the nominal position of sect leader and was conveniently relieved of the "responsibility" of "mediating the disputes between his senior and junior masters".

Chu Luren always felt that the rights and responsibilities were not aligned...

Even though he is the sect leader and doesn't acknowledge anyone else, he is still responsible for mediating—and in the end, isn't this matter about you, Master?

However, the so-called disputes will probably only occur when the Child Granny uses the "Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme Technique" to "rejuvenate" once every thirty years!

Otherwise, Li Qiushui would be no match for Tonglao. Even if the Empress Dowager truly held military and political power and commanded the Western Xia army to attack, it would be useless. After all, in a place like Tianshan, with so many people, many would likely slip and fall on the way. And it wouldn't be easy for Tonglao to kill Li Qiushui either, since the Western Xia palace wasn't so easy to break into, and the Nine Heavens and Nine Tribes couldn't directly confront the Western Xia imperial city's army.

Only when Tong Lao "rejuvenates" will Li Qiushui have the opportunity to kill her!

The idea of ​​"rejuvenation" sounds like a good thing, but it's actually a flaw in the "Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme Technique" that the Child Granny cultivates...

This internal skill of the Free and Unfettered Sect also has another name, namely "Eternal Youth and Longevity Skill" - when Chu Luren first heard it, he realized that these were the names of the original work in the Sanlian edition and the revised edition.

In the vast martial arts world, these two names coexist. "I am the only one who reigns supreme in the eight wastelands and six directions" highlights the domineering nature of this technique, while "Eternal youth and longevity" highlights its unique characteristics. The former is only used by the Child Granny.

The old woman, Tong Lao, lived a lonely life until her death, and forever remained a child, making the concepts of "eternal life" and "eternal youth" seem somewhat ironic.

If practiced properly, it can greatly slow down aging, and even allow people to maintain a youthful appearance and physique even at nearly 100 years old.

This martial art is actually not suitable for women to practice, but Tong Lao was arrogant and proud, so when she was six years old, she stole Xiaoyaozi's secret manual and forced herself to practice it...

Moreover, Tong Lao was indeed a peerless genius, and she actually mastered it, able to transform her internal energy from extreme yang to extreme yin—this is also the reason why Tong Lao's "Tianshan Six Yang Palms" can be transformed into a "Life and Death Talisman".

However, precisely because she practiced haphazardly on her own, her physique remained at the level of an eight or nine-year-old after she had only mastered the basics.

Then, at the age of twenty-six, she had a chance to correct it, but Li Qiushui, who was jealous of her, deliberately disturbed her and caused her to go into a state of demonic possession. As a result, she could only maintain the figure of an eight or nine-year-old for the rest of her life.

If it's really the 14-15 year old appearance setting like in the TV series, then I can bet that Wu Yazi is a lolicon. But eight or nine years old... if you still have hope for that, then you're underestimating Wu Yazi!

Decades later, after Li Qiushui left Wuliang Mountain, Tong Lao found her once and, in revenge, disfigured her. The reason she was still able to become the Empress of Western Xia was entirely due to Li Qiushui's supposedly superhuman Photoshop skills in disguise...

As for Chu Luren's current martial arts skills, in Wu Yazi's words, if he were to face Li Qiushui alone, he should be able to save his life, but if he were to encounter his senior sister, he would have to leave it to fate.

Chu Luren really wanted to argue, at least encountering Li Qiushui should have been safe, since he'd heard Li Qiushui liked handsome men...

However, out of consideration for Wu Yazi's feelings, Chu Luren thoughtfully refrained from voicing his objection—it's rare to find someone so filial on their first time as a disciple!

"Master, the jade statue you left in the Boundless Jade Cave... is it Uncle-Master Li Qiushui?" Chu Luren asked curiously.

It's not that I'm curious whether she is Li Qiushui or not—both the original novel and most of the TV series make it clear that she is not Li Qiushui, but Li Qiushui's sister...

That's why there's the saying that Wu Yazi was obsessed with the jade statue and neglected Li Qiushui.

The evidence is the portrait of Xu Zhu that Wu Yazi gave him in the original work. When Tong Lao and Li Qiushui were on their deathbeds, they recognized that this was not Li Qiushui, but Li Qiushui's sister, based on the dimples and beauty mark on the portrait.

However, the original work does not mention who Li Qiushui's sister is. She only appears in a few words spoken by Li Qiushui on her deathbed. The most widely circulated name, "Li Canghai," is also an original name for the film version. There are also other names for the TV series, such as "Li Biyun" and "Qi Yufeng."

The emotional entanglements between Wu Yazi and the two sisters are not depicted in the original work...

Chu Luren was naturally very curious, even about what this "younger sister" was called, since "Qiu Shui" didn't seem to rhyme with "Cang Hai"...

Maybe her name is Li Dongmei?

Wu Yazi also looked quite melancholy and said to Chu Luren with a sigh, "If there's nothing else, you may leave!"

Chu Luren: ...

Some people have been teachers before, yet they are still so unfriendly.

As for "mediating the old grudges and disputes of the seniors," Chu Luren was not in a hurry. Originally, he planned to first meet with Qiao Feng and Duan Yu at Leigu Mountain, and then settle down to cultivate for a period of time.

For a time, the matter of Qiao Feng and A'Zhu became the focus of Chu Luren's jokes, often used to "mocker" that Qiao Feng had abducted Duan Yu's sister...

However, for some reason, Duan Yu's reaction was always strange whenever Chu Luren mentioned this joke.

On the third day, something even stranger happened...

It wasn't that Duan Yu suddenly got the reference to Chu Luren, but rather that an unexpected person returned to Leigu Mountain, and came to see Qiao Feng!

As for who this unexpected person is?

Chu Luren didn't know either...

However, I do remember that the group that was sneaking around and making contact with major sects like Shaolin and Wudang before was this group!

The one in charge was a shifty-eyed young man who looked about the same age as Yang Guo, or even younger.

Upon seeing Qiao Feng, this man immediately prostrated himself and said, "This servant, Xiao Guizi, pays respects to the Duke of Zhenguo!"

Qiao Feng had only heard that a friend from the martial arts world was visiting him—it had been a long time since anyone from the martial arts world had "visited" him—that he had finally met this stranger.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Feng frowned and almost struck out with his palm—what Duke of Zhenguo? Who is this framing?

Fortunately, only my second and third brothers were still around. Otherwise, if word got out to the martial arts world, people who didn't know better would really think I was a spy for the Qing government!

Well, there are still outsiders... Murong Jiu had already given Qiao Feng a "you're something else" look, making Qiao Feng even more eager to slap the person in front of him before explaining!

Fortunately, this young Gui Zi reacted quickly. Perhaps sensing Qiao Feng's murderous aura, he immediately explained, "Uncle Qiao, His Majesty sent me here... His Majesty heard about Uncle Qiao's matter, and after reviewing the genealogy, he discovered that Uncle Qiao should be the Assistant General of the State of the Aisin Gioro Plain White Banner lineage, and in terms of seniority, he is His Majesty's uncle."

Knowing that you, Uncle Qiao, have suffered many injustices over the years, His Majesty has personally bestowed upon you the title of Duke of Zhenguo. This servant has come to discuss with you the matter of eliminating the traitors. His Majesty has promised that if the traitors are brought to justice, you will be treated with the respect due to a Prince. Moreover, since Suksaha's death, the position of Banner Master of the Plain White Banner has remained vacant..."

"Shut up! I think you're the traitor!" Qiao Feng hadn't even realized what was happening and assumed the man was trying to frame him, so he was about to attack.

Chapter 444 The Plan

In the Qing Dynasty, the titles of Duke of Zhenguo and General of Zhenguo were noble ranks. Above Duke of Zhenguo were Beizi, Beile, Junwang, Qinwang, and so on.

In granting titles of princes, the Qing court was relatively restrained. Generally, princes could not be granted the title of prince. It was not uncommon for princes who fared poorly to be granted titles such as General Who Guards the State or General Who Bestows Grace.

Huang Taiji, Dorgon and their generation were only the "Four Great Beile". Later, referring to the Han people's system of granting titles, the titles of Prince and Prince of the Second Rank were established.

Apart from the hereditary ****, all others are demoted one rank with each generation of succession.

Chu Luren understood what "Little Guizi" meant. If Qiao Feng was indeed the General Who Guards the Nation, then their kinship... was neither too close nor too distant, and they were from the Plain White Banner branch.

During the Shunzhi reign, both White Banners were Dorgon's direct subordinates, which is why they were later purged.

Among the four regents appointed by Emperor Kangxi, Sukesaha was the banner lord of the Plain White Banner (at least in "The Deer and the Cauldron," he was; if you're interested in history, you can look it up yourself). In other words, Sukesaha was basically one of the first representatives of the two White Banners to "defect" to Emperor Shunzhi.

The other three regents, Sony, Ebilun, and Oboi, all belonged to the Two Yellow Banners. Oboi was also the banner lord of the Bordered Yellow Banner (as in The Deer and the Cauldron, but we will not discuss historical facts).

Having lived through the eras of Huang Taiji, Dorgon, and Shunzhi, the grudges and entanglements between the two Yellow Banners and the two White Banners are easy to imagine. Therefore, when Aobai killed Suksaha, the other regents were just watching the show, and the nobles of the two Yellow Banners were even more happy to see it happen.

As for the nobles of the Two White Banners?

Because they had been purged before, they were more obedient and restrained, and many of them probably didn't like Suksaha, the "traitor."

However, it was after Suksaha's death that Aobai began to become increasingly arrogant.

Not only Kangxi could sense it, but the nobles of the other two Yellow Banners also gradually began to feel it...

Hearing Xiao Guizi's words, Chu Luren couldn't help but sigh that Kangxi's "bait" was quite big—directly throwing out the position of the banner lord of the Plain White Banner.

Emperor Kangxi has not yet assumed personal rule, and the "Southern Study," the rudimentary form of the imperial cabinet, has vanished. However, the "Council of Princes and Ministers" still exists and wields real power!