The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

“Ah, second brother, you don’t know this, it’s not just about Ying Gu. Last night I also met with several masters from Tianlong Temple, and finally pieced together the origins of that ‘Boss Duan’…”

Chapter Fifteen: Innate Skill

Duan Zhengming was not only bothered by Ying Gu bringing up the old story again, but he also learned of "Boss Duan's" identity at this time...

It was Duan Yanqing, the exiled crown prince during the Dali Coup more than twenty years ago!

Back then, Yang Yizhen, a powerful minister in Dali, usurped the throne, and Emperor Duan Lianyi of Dali was killed. Crown Prince Yanqing also disappeared without a trace, and Duan Zhengming always thought that he had also been killed.

Later, Duan Shouhui quelled the rebellion and was reinstated. A few years later, Duan Shouhui became a monk and gave up his position to his cousin, Duan Zhengming.

Duan Zhengming only learned last night that not only was the Crown Prince of Yanqing still alive, but also... that Duan Shouhui had secretly hunted him down back then because of his lust for power!

Even Duan Yanqing's current chronic illnesses and old injuries were mostly left over from this period.

Therefore, Duan Yanqing harbored great hatred for the current Duan imperial family.

Although Duan Shouhui was dead, he told the other Duan family ancestors at Tianlong Temple about this matter before his death.

When Duan Zhengming learned of this, he wanted to cede the position to Duan Yanqing, but Ba Tianshi, Hua Hegen, Gao Shengtai and other important officials of Dali all firmly opposed it.

They believed that Duan Yanqing had been disabled for many years, harbored deep hatred, and was cold-blooded and cruel. How could they entrust the Dali kingdom to him?

Duan Zhengming accepted this explanation, but secretly decided that when he went to Wanchou Valley seven days later, he would use his own life to settle the karmic debt with Duan Yanqing and Ying Gu!

At the same time, he was thinking that the Innate Skill had no successor. He remembered that the finger technique he saw last night resembled the One-Finger Divine Skill, and since Chu Luren's character was also acceptable, he decided to try his luck.

Who would have thought that the Chu Lu people would be so sensitive...

After Duan Zhengchun confirmed Duan Zhengming's intentions, he strongly dissuaded him.

"Back then, the late emperor committed a grave mistake due to greed, and I, due to anger and delusion, failed to save him from death... The late emperor has passed away, so I will repay him with my life; otherwise... when will this cycle of revenge end!" Duan Zhengming said helplessly.

Chu Luren then understood Duan Zhengming's meaning—rather than saying he felt guilty for wronging Ying Gu, this Southern Emperor felt guilty for his own anger and infatuation.

Whether he saved or not, he did not wrong anyone. It was just that Duan Zhengming felt that it was his anger and delusion that caused him to fail to save the person he "originally wanted to save" because of his anger and delusion. So he blamed himself.

The Duan family of Dali has a long history of Buddhist studies, and it's not surprising that Duan Zhengming would have such thoughts, given that he is one of the many Duan ancestors in Tianlong Temple.

However, under the threat of Duan Zhengchun refusing to accept the throne, Duan Zhengming finally lost his will to die and said as a compromise: "Very well, after this matter is settled, I will go to Tianlong Temple to become a monk and reflect on my actions."

"But you should try to comprehend this 'Innate Skill' for now, my dear nephew. If you can master it, that would be best. In the future, just remember the kindness of the Quanzhen Ancestor in passing on his skills. If you can meet a Quanzhen disciple with the right qualifications, remember to pass this skill back to him... Your internal strength is still shallow, so it will be easier for you to change your internal skill." Duan Zhengming still did not give up on passing on his skills.

Actually, this martial art was originally recorded in the Quanzhen Sect, but because none of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen had mastered it, and Wang Chongyang was worried that Ouyang Feng would covet this martial art after his death, he ordered his disciples to destroy the manual.

Seeing that Duan Zhengming was determined to die, Chu Luren accepted the transfer of his skills.

As Chu Luren had expected, the oral transmission of power was also effective. Before dinner, during Chu Luren's meditation, he had acquired an unequipable badge representing his Innate Skill...

If the "One-Finger Divine Skill" had not been integrated, Chu Luren might have taken a gamble and merged it with the "Innate Skill." Although one is a finger technique and the other is an internal skill, they don't seem to go well together, but there is a precedent of Duan Zhengming combining the two.

However, since there is no "One-Finger Divine Skill" and only "Vitality One-Finger" at present, Chu Luren still wants to wait until he has other internal skills before combining them.

However, Chu Luren already had a thorough understanding of the nature of the "Innate Skill".

Unlike ordinary internal energy cultivation, the Innate Energy Cultivation Technique can stimulate the "Innate Qi" that is latent in the human body at birth, and make use of this innate Qi...

Therefore, it is not only obscure and difficult to understand, but also requires a high level of aptitude. Moreover, when an ordinary person takes their first breath after birth, most of their innate energy is lost, and when yin and yang interact for the first time, even more of it is lost. Naturally, it is even more difficult to achieve innate skills.

Furthermore, the cultivation of innate energy in the Innate Skill is not perfect. Although it makes the user particularly effective in healing injuries when using the Innate Skill due to the enhancement of innate energy, it does not provide effective means of recovery.

Even if a master of internal martial arts loses 80% or 90% of their internal energy, they can recover in a few days by circulating their internal energy, or even just by meditating for a few hours.

Even the legendary Wedding Dress Divine Skill, if it is imparted to someone else and there are residual roots, can allow one to reach a higher level within a few months.

Once the Innate Skill reaches the point of utilizing innate energy, it is equivalent to damage to one's remaining roots, which often takes years or even decades to recover...

Chu Luren even suspected that Wang Chongyang might have unleashed his innate energy during the Mount Hua Sword Tournament, which is why he died less than two years later.

Of course, even without considering this section and without stimulating innate energy, the Innate Skill is still a superior internal skill. It is not only good at healing injuries, but also stands out in terms of normal energy recovery speed, and it also has some poison resistance bonuses.

"Such a grown man, doesn't he know how to eat? Ah... Uncle is here too." Mu Wanqing came over with a food box at dinner time.

They seemed surprised that Duan Zhengming was there, but... it looked more like they were trying to get rid of him.

"Haha, it's Uncle who didn't check the time. I won't delay your meal any longer!" Duan Zhengming finally saw some good news. Chu Luren was indeed extremely talented. Although he hadn't seen him master it, Duan Zhengming knew from his questions that Chu Luren had already grasped the Innate Skill to some extent.

Whether or not it will be successful is entirely up to fate...

This was also Chu Luren's way of putting Duan Zhengming at ease, deliberately showcasing his expertise during the consultation.

Before leaving, Duan Zhengming gave a special reminder: "Nephew Chu, don't forget the Primordial Qi."

Chu Luren: 囧

Chu Luren always felt that Duan Zhengming was afraid that he would directly "stay overnight" with Mu Wanqing...

"Here, I was afraid you'd starve." Mu Wanqing put down the food box, indicating: Here, eat.

After appreciating the deliciousness, Chu Luren didn't forget to remind Mu Wanqing to be careful.

"Mind your own business!" Mu Wanqing glared at him, instinctively stubborn, but then secretly regretted her attitude. However, seeing that Chu Luren didn't seem to care much, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Mu Wanqing was not abducted, Chu Luren estimated that Duan Yanqing would most likely try a different tactic.

Previously, the army was stationed outside the city, and the Prince of Zhennan's mansion did not have many guards, which allowed them to take advantage of the situation.

Now, troops have been specially deployed to guard the palace. Although Dali is small, it is easy to mobilize several thousand soldiers near the imperial city. Duan Yanqing still dares to come; he will probably be suppressed immediately.

After resting for a few days, Chu Luren received news from Wanchou Valley three days before the seven-day agreement was finalized. This made Chu Luren sigh, "The three members of the Tianlong trio are truly masters of betraying their fathers!"

Chapter Sixteen: A Trap for His Son

Inside the Dali Royal Palace, Dao Baifeng was wiping away tears; her eyes were swollen.

Duan Zhengchun deliberately prevented Mu Wanqing from appearing, lest "Phoenix" take her anger out on her in her haste.

Upon hearing news from Wanchou Valley, Chu Luren rushed over to inquire.

Duan Zhengming's innate skill was indeed exceptional in healing, even effective against external injuries to muscles and bones. After the massage a few days ago, although Chu Luren was not fully recovered, he could no longer be seen walking around.

"Uncle Duan, Uncle Duan, Brother Duan..." Before Chu Luren arrived, he made sure that Mu Wanqing was alright, so he didn't know what Duan Yanqing was up to.

"Oh, my dear nephew, take a look for yourself!" Duan Zhengchun handed the two letters to Chu Luren with a distressed expression.

One of the letter writers was Duan Yanqing, and it was an invitation, which seemed to have been sent not only to the Duan family of Dali, but also to all the major sects of Dali.

Just looking at this, it's still unclear what Duan Yanqing is up to. However, there is another unsigned "secret letter" that looks like an unfolded ball of paper.

After reading it, Chu Luren was deeply moved by the story of the father who ruined his son in the novel "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

It turns out that not long ago, Duan Yanqing "invited" a mother and daughter from a brothel, and they are now locked up with Duan Yu. Afterwards, they fed him "beep" drugs.

We plan to invite everyone to Wanchou Valley to "watch the excitement" in three days.

Although this was originally a secret project of the brothel, if it were done so "openly" and known to fellow martial artists, even if they knew the reason for the "beep" drug, Duan Yu would be ridiculed, and the reputation of the Dali Duan family would be ruined!

Chu Luren also deeply regretted that he should have taught Brother Duan his secret method for quickly curing the "beep" drug a few days ago...

As for the origin of this secret letter, Duan Zhengchun couldn't figure it out, but Duan Zhengming knew for sure—it was Ying Gu's handwriting!

A few days ago, Ying Gu, who was living in seclusion nearby, discovered that there was great chaos in Dali City, so she came to cause trouble for Duan Zhengming.

Duan Yanqing and the others realized that Ying Gu also had a grudge against the Duan family, so they invited her to join them and went to Wanchou Valley together.

However, Ying Gu later discovered that these people's actions were too despicable, and parted ways with them.

Ying Gu's martial arts skills might be able to hold her own against Yue Laosan for thirty or fifty moves, but she had absolutely no ability to save people, nor any intention to do so.

She simply drew a simple map of the Wanchou Valley that she knew, sent it to the palace, and informed them of the other party's conspiracy.

As for whether Duan could rescue the person or save his reputation, Ying Gu didn't care. She even decided to go and see what was going on in a few days.

Duan Zhengchun tried his best to persuade Dao Baifeng to go and rest, saying that he and his brother would definitely rescue Yu'er.

“Brother, this person…” Duan Zhengchun didn’t know how to address Ying Gu, but ultimately he didn’t believe her.

“Well, since Ying Gu has sent a letter, what she said should be true.” Duan Zhengming didn’t doubt anything.

“If this fellow really gets his way, I’m afraid…” Duan Zhengchun’s expression was also very unpleasant at this moment.

“Given Ying Gu’s personality, if Yu’er had really made a serious mistake, she would have definitely humiliated me in her letter. I suppose he’s alright now, and besides… Yu’er has been gifted since childhood, we should trust him.” Duan Zhengming was unsure whether he was comforting Duan Zhengchun or genuinely had a keen eye for talent.

At this moment, Gao Shengtai, along with Fan Ye, Hua Hegen, and Ba Tianshi, requested an audience. The former is the current prime minister of Dali and a close comrade-in-arms of the Duan family, while the latter three are all masters in Dali and are currently the three dukes of Dali.

In the world of martial arts, the Duan family had a very good relationship with the powerful officials of Dali, including the Gao family, and they did not hide Duan Yu's affairs from them.

Just now, Fan Ye came up with an idea...

Situ Huahegen was originally a tomb raider and was most skilled at digging tunnels. After studying the map, Fan Ye discovered that the place where the prince was imprisoned was not far from the edge of Wanchou Valley. Therefore, he planned to have Huahegen dig a tunnel to rescue Duan Yu!

However, this also presents several difficulties, such as...

Even Hua Hegen couldn't dig through the ground without making a sound, and judging from the secret letter, Duan Yanqing was personally guarding the stone chamber.

With Duan Yanqing's internal martial arts skills, if he really dug a tunnel, how could he hide it from his eyes and ears?

Besides, there are so many people in the valley, and none of them are dead. It's hard to guarantee that someone won't overhear something.

Duan Zhengming had a solution to this problem. Based on Fan Ye's plan, he decided to ask the Yellow-Eyebrow Monk of Nianhua Temple for help.

The masters of Tianlong Temple were actually no less skilled than the Yellow-Eyebrow Monk, but... because they were all ancestors of the Duan royal family, they had already withdrawn from worldly affairs and were even less willing to get involved in the affairs of Duan Zhengming and Duan Yanqing.

However, it still hinted at some aspects of Duan Yanqing's personality, such as... his love for chess and his competitive nature!

Duan Zhengming also saw this point and decided to ask the Yellow-Eyebrow Monk, who was equally skilled in chess and whose martial arts were no less than Duan Yanqing's, to take action and delay Duan Yanqing so that he would not notice the digging.

Moreover... there is a time in the valley when most people are led away, and that is when the Duan family went to visit!

Chu Luren then spoke up, "Uncle Duan, I will also go with Hua Situ."

“Nephew, your injury hasn’t healed yet, so don’t worry about this. You should stay and rest,” Duan Zhengming advised.

“Uncle, there’s no need to worry. Although I’m still a bit short of being able to spar with a master, I can move around without any problems. When I run into my cheap disciple, I can have a word with him.” Chu Luren insisted on going.

After all, due to his influence, the situation had changed somewhat, and Chu Luren was also worried about Duan Yu.

of course……

Since we are in this vast world, things will inevitably change even without the influence of Chu Luren!

Seeing Chu Luren's sincerity, and considering that Chu Luren's foot injury was no longer a problem and that he could handle any martial arts figures other than the guest elders of the Valley First-Class Hall, Duan Zhengming finally agreed.

When the Duan family arrives, they will enter the valley from the front, attracting everyone's attention. It's safer to dig the tunnel from the other side!