From Under One Person: Sincere Journey Through the Heavens

Zhao Qian was startled, and then looked suspicious. He thought that Mai Duo wanted to curry favor with Jiang Liu, but then he thought that Jiang Liu had cultivated to the state of inner observation and could see through people's hearts. If Mai Duo really had ulterior motives, she would definitely not agree... Could it be that Mai Duo is a cultivation prodigy with a pure heart?

And so—

"Does Maiduo have someone she likes?"

Zhao Qian asked tentatively.

"If you like someone, just go for it. Taking action is the most important thing." Bai Yuekui smiled slightly and gave this advice to a teenager in his adolescence.

Zhao Qian opened his mouth, hesitated, and finally said in a low voice, "Isn't this too direct? What if she refuses?"

"..."

Even though he had witnessed this anxious and uncertain situation in people like Wulan Aodeng, Xia Tianlai, and Nanjixing, Bai Yuekui was still exhausted when faced with a similar situation again.

and--

"You're here to be my guide, not my counselor, understand?"

"Understand!"

Zhao Qian immediately put aside his other thoughts and focused on introducing Bai Yuekui to the food and scenery of Yuhang, until they arrived at the center of West Lake—Three Pools Mirroring the Moon…

the other side.

Upon returning to the Confucian Association, Jiang Liuguo met Abbot Shi Chan of Shaolin Temple on Mount Song in the living room. He cupped his hands and said, "Master, please forgive me for keeping you waiting."

"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!"

Upon seeing Jiang Liu, Shi Chan was startled and quickly rose from his seat to return the greeting, saying, "It is this old monk who has come uninvited, causing the sage to take time out of his busy schedule. I don't know how many people have been unable to receive the Buddha's teachings because of my personal matter. It is truly a sin!"

Why is Master Shi Chan so fearful?

This is because his state of mind is extremely high, and he has already seen through the emptiness of the five aggregates, while Jiang Liu has cultivated the Taiyi Dao and comprehended the Great Luo Principle, and no longer deliberately conceals his cultivation level.

Ordinary people can hardly see the river's flow; they can only see its ever-growing handsome appearance.

Those who cultivate themselves can only see the elusive aura of the river, which seems to be in harmony with nature.

Those who, like Zen Master Shi, can perceive the emptiness of the five aggregates can cultivate wisdom.

Although his cultivation was far weaker than Jiang Liu's, and he could not see through the entire world like Jiang Liu, he still managed to see through his inner attachments and was no longer moved by external things. He was able to further see through appearances and see Jiang Liu's true nature.

In Shi Chan's wise eyes, Jiang Liu was not a person, but a Buddha, twelve feet tall, standing in the three realms and nine lands, with pagodas of heaven and earth wrapped around giant pythons, and a roc supported by a halo on his head, just like the Tathagata, the supreme ruler of the world in the temple, except that his face was Jiang Liu's appearance.

“Master, you are exaggerating. I am also a human being, currently cultivating. I have only cultivated the courage to write and the body to fight. How dare I call myself a saint? Moreover, I have only forged a Dharma image in my heart and refined my body to be sixteen feet tall. My previous cultivation progressed further, raising the body from six feet to twelve feet. It is nothing to mention.” Jiang Liu was modest, without any desire to show off, and was simply stating the facts.

This left Shi Chan somewhat bewildered.

However, Jiekong, the disciple brought by Shichan, had a fiery temper and retorted indignantly, "What did I take a saint for? Turns out he's just a boastful brat!"

"Release the void!"

Shi Chan was shocked and furious, and shouted, "You must not be rude to Chairman Jiang!"

"It's alright."

Jiang Liu sized up the young Jie Kong—

He was broad and stout, about two meters tall, with muscular arms. Even after being reprimanded by the monk, he still glared angrily, just like the Immovable King in a temple.

Jiang Liu smiled slightly and said, "You seem to... dislike me a little?"

"I just don't accept it."

Even when faced with Shi Chan's suggestive glances, Jie Kong remained defiant and did as he pleased.

Monks do not lie!

Why?

Jiang Liu asked with a smile.

“You don’t seem like a practitioner at all.”

Jie Kong boldly expressed his thoughts.

"Oh? So what do you think I am like?"

Jie Kong had a loud voice and spoke without thinking, “like a business peddler.”

"Ha ha!"

Shi Chan broke out in a cold sweat, but Jiang Liu laughed loudly: "That's right, I'm a businessman. I'm the president of the Confucian Association and the young master of the Caixi Troupe. If I didn't do business, I couldn't support such a large group of brothers and sisters who have entrusted their lives to me."

Upon hearing this, Jie Kong was stunned and didn't know how to respond.

To be honest.

His sudden outburst of anger stemmed from his desire to fight Jiang Liu and see just how much of the so-called "Number One in China" title was genuine.

But the other party patiently explained... which left me with no way to save face.

As a monk, Jiekong is not unreasonable; it's just that if reason doesn't lie with him, then forcibly challenging him to a duel would be somewhat unreasonable.

In theory, it's not a problem for the younger generation of people with supernatural abilities to spar with each other; in fact, the elders of each family might even encourage each other to do so...

But Jiang Liu was an exception. Young in age, yet incredibly powerful, he had established the Confucian Society, a powerful force, and, unconventionally, he didn't compete with the major families and sects of the supernatural world for business. Instead, he partnered with the Gong Sect to establish an academy, imparting knowledge and cultivation.

Although young, their status is already equal to that of the older generation.

That is why Jie Kong had to use some tricks, namely, provocation, if he wanted to spar with Jiang Liu.

Unfortunately, it didn't work.

"Jiekong, stop making trouble. Hurry up and apologize to Chairman Jiang!" Shichan also breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the matter was over.

Jiang Liu understood that if Jie Kong couldn't let go of this anger, it would take a long time and be detrimental to his cultivation. So he asked, "It seems you're still not convinced."

"I refuse to accept it, I just refuse to accept it."

The young monk Jiekong was quite stubborn, staring intently at Jiang Liu. "Unless you beat me into submission, I will never submit to you! My master is concerned about your reputation, but I'm not afraid!"

"Release the void!"

Shi Chan roared angrily.

This is not only disrespectful to his master, but also disrespectful to Chairman Jiang!

Fuck!

Jie Kong is a good disciple in every way, except for his strong temper. If this continues, he might cause trouble!

"Don't be angry, Master. I am also a young man. It is natural for young people to be impetuous. If we were to remove it now, it would be undesirable," Jiang Liu advised.

Master Shi Chan was startled, suddenly realizing that he had lost his composure. Looking at the river again, he understood—

Jiang Liu's cultivation was unfathomable, and his practice far exceeded his imagination. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was the reincarnation of the World Honored One. So why would he care about Jie Kong's clamor?

On the contrary, I myself, having seen through the five aggregates, lost my composure and developed a discriminating mind after meeting the "Tathagata," worrying about worldly ways of dealing with people and things, and almost suffered a decline in my state of mind, which is really contrary to the path of cultivation.

Therefore, Shi Chan stopped speaking.

Jiang Liu continued, "You said you wanted to have a match with me. I wonder what skills you have?"

"I have been practicing at Shaolin since I was a child. I carried water for seven years, chopped wood for seven years, and practiced martial arts for seven years. In those seven years, I mastered all seventy-two Shaolin skills, including the seventy-two rooms, the thirty-six hard skills, the thirty-six soft skills, and a total of seventy-two unique skills!"

Shaolin has seventy-two unique skills, divided into soft skills and hard skills, covering almost all kinds of martial arts in the world, including fists, palms, fingers, claws, grappling, knives, staffs, clubs, body techniques, footwork, internal energy, and formations, which can be described as all-encompassing.

As the saying goes:

All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin.

In reality, it incorporates skills from hundreds and thousands of schools of thought.

However, it must be acknowledged that Zen Buddhism has been able to stand for a thousand years not only because of its lineage similar to the Celestial Master's ordination passed down through generations at the Celestial Master's Mansion in Longhu Mountain, but also because these monks are good at learning from each other's strengths and making up for their own weaknesses, as well as their management skills.

After introducing and demonstrating the 72 Shaolin Arts in the lobby, Jie Kong suddenly changed the subject, spread his five fingers on his right hand, and squeezed them together, producing a loud bang that shook the air.

His strength was evident, and he was already comparable to Zhang Zhiwei when Wang Yaozu left Quanxing.

"But what I am most proud of is my formidable life force and invincible strength!"

Speaking of strength, Jie Kong was extremely proud, "Even my master is not as strong as me!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liu laughed. Shi Chan's eyelids twitched, and his state of mind fluctuated again, but he could only sigh and admit, "President Jiang, in terms of strength, this old monk is indeed no match for this good-for-nothing disciple; in terms of life, this old monk has lived to such an old age, and if we really fought him, I might not be able to beat him."

"Master?"

Hearing his master openly admit it, Jie Kong was somewhat at a loss, but he gritted his teeth and glared at Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu asked, "Oh? Your strength is truly great?"

"You do not believe?"

Instantly.

Jie was in a hurry and couldn't stand anyone questioning his strength. Looking around and not seeing anything heavy, he said, "Have someone bring me a big millstone, and I'll prove it to you!"

"There's no need for a millstone."

Jiang Liu helped Shi Chan up and led him to the small courtyard outside the gate, and asked Mai Duo to close the gate leading to the street.

thereafter.

Jiang Liu placed his right hand beside his right ear, took out an embroidery needle, and shook it. It was about the size of a teacup, with a piece of platinum in the middle and gold hoops at both ends. It was decorated with dragon patterns, auspicious energy, and dazzling rainbow light.

Looking at the stick, two lines of characters are engraved on it, one large and one small, resembling dragon patterns and phoenix seal script, yet their meaning can be understood the moment one sees them.

The larger one is: the Ruyi Jingu Bang (the magic staff).

The smaller line reads: weighing 13,500 jin.

Jiang Liu twirled his staff, creating a gust of wind that sent Jie Kong staggering back several steps. With his back against the gate of the Confucian Association, he exclaimed in astonishment, "What exquisite power!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liu simply smiled, placed the Ruyi Jingu Bang in front of him, and said leisurely, "If you can lift it and even twirl it, that will prove your strength."

"Humph!"

Just now, Jie Kong had already gained some understanding of Jiang Liu's strength—he was no match for him.

But he was still not convinced, thinking that he had been careless and hadn't dodged. Otherwise, even if Jiang Liu's strength was superb and unparalleled, he... would have been able to dodge it!

And now!

"My Shaolin staff techniques are unparalleled in the world!"

Having said that, Jie Kong was about to take the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel), but seeing how magnificent the cudgel was, his heart was filled with joy and his mind was stirred, and a trace of greed arose. He then asked, "If I demonstrate the cudgel technique and you learn it, wouldn't Shaolin be at a loss? How about we add a wager?"