Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Successor of Bodhidharma

Page 27

However, Duan Yu's mind was filled with the image of the "Fairy Sister" and her captivating eyes. He turned a deaf ear to Qiao Tian's hints and instead thought that Qiao Tian didn't want to release her, which strengthened his determination to follow Li Qiushui.

Li Qiushui watched Duan Yu's reaction with satisfaction, winked triumphantly at Qiao Tian, ​​and then said softly to Duan Yu, "Since that's the case, then come with your sister." With that, she flicked her sleeve, and a gentle force enveloped Duan Yu. Ignoring the astonished and hesitant expressions of Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun, she carried Duan Yu, who was still immersed in immense happiness, out of the main hall in a few leaps and disappeared into the clouds.

Inside the main hall, only the Duan brothers with complicated expressions, Qiao Tian with a look of bewilderment, and Huang Shang, Yao Yao, and Jin Zha looking at each other in confusion remained.

Qiao Tian gazed outside the hall, finally shaking his head helplessly, muttering to himself in a voice only he could hear:

"This foolish boy... good advice is useless against this damned devil... if he goes with that old hag, he'll suffer..."

Chapter 84 Dugu Nine Swords

Inside the main hall, Duan Zhengchun was frantic when he saw his beloved son being taken away by the mysterious woman in white. He hurriedly asked Qiao Tian, ​​"Sect Leader Qiao, what is your uncle doing? What is Yu'er doing...?"

Qiao Tian waved his hand reassuringly, his expression calm: "Your Highness, please calm down. My Uncle Li has always been like this, naturally unconventional and free-spirited, deeply embodying the essence of our sect's 'free and unrestrained' nature. His actions are often unexpected, and he frequently does things that others find perplexing." He paused, his tone becoming more certain, "However, Your Highness can rest assured. Now that Duan Yu is considered a member of our Wudang sect, Uncle Li has no reason to harm him. As you have seen, Uncle Li's skill has reached a transcendent level, her cultivation profound. His Highness is deeply fortunate to have gained her favor and been personally taken away for training; this may well be an immense opportunity. Perhaps through this experience, he can shed his childishness and gain a clearer understanding of his true nature."

Although Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun were still uneasy, seeing Qiao Tian's confidence and considering the white-clad woman's unpredictable skills and the formidable reputation of the Wudang Sect, they finally suppressed their doubts. After exchanging pleasantries with Qiao Tian, ​​they bid farewell with mixed feelings and prepared to return to Dali first to inquire about Duan Yu's whereabouts.

Qiao Tian, ​​along with Huang Shang, Yao Yao, and Jin Zha, watched the Dali royal family depart.

Jinzha still carried his Azure Frost Sword, looking carefree and unrestrained. He tilted his head, watching the departing figures, and then, lost in thought, a silly grin spread across his face. Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine and whirled around, meeting Qiao Tian's smiling eyes right in front of him.

"Wow! Master! Don't scare me!" Jinzha exclaimed dramatically, jumping back half a step and waving his hands frantically. "I didn't go to the Daoist Scripture Pavilion today, and I definitely didn't damage any Daoist scriptures! I swear!"

Qiao Tian was amused by his reaction and laughed and scolded, "You brat! Do you think I'm such an unreasonable person? You're always so unruly, standing so sloppily, and always grinning like an idiot. Can't you change your roguish ways?"

Jinzha curled his lip indifferently and muttered, "In the future, our Wudang Sect Leader will be fine with someone as calm, steady, and learned as Senior Brother Huang Shang! What use would I have for such a handsome appearance?" He gestured with the Qing Shuang sword in his hand, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp and full of longing. "Master, my ambition in this life is to wield this three-foot-long Qing Shuang sword, to meet heroes all over the world, and to test my skills against the heroes of the four seas! That would be truly exhilarating!"

Looking at the burning fighting spirit in his disciple's eyes, Qiao Tian smiled indulgently: "Your ambition is commendable."

Jinzha's eyes darted around, and he suddenly leaned closer, grinning lewdly, "Master, um... I have a favor to ask. Could you... talk to Grandmaster Uncle and ask her to pass on her 'Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand' technique to me?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tian was somewhat surprised: "Oh? When did you become interested in palm techniques? Weren't you aspiring to the way of the sword?"

Jinzha chuckled, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism: "Master, you misunderstand! I want to learn the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand not to use it against enemies! I want to analyze its moves and understand its meaning! I want to comprehend its core concept of 'utilizing all martial arts under heaven and breaking all laws,' and then... integrate it into my swordsmanship to create a supreme swordsmanship that belongs to me, Jinzha, and can break all martial arts under heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tian's eyes narrowed sharply, his gaze falling on Jin Zha as if it were a physical object, filled with scrutiny and an indescribable depth, as if he wanted to see through him from the inside out.

Jinzha felt his hair stand on end under his master's unprecedented gaze, and his heart pounded with fear. He couldn't help but whisper, "Master? Master? You...you can't look at me like that, I'm scared..."

Qiao Tian was brought back to his senses by him. After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of etherealness: "You...do you think you can do it?"

"Of course!" Jinzha puffed out his chest, his voice booming with pride and as clear as metal. "Don't you know who I, Jinzha, am a disciple of! Master, you were able to establish Wudang and stand shoulder to shoulder with Shaolin! Your Grandmaster was able to awe Lingjiu Palace! Now that I, Jinzha, have entered the Wudang sect and received your teachings, I must not disgrace my sect! One day, I will use this sword to gather all the heroes of the world, break all the laws of the world, and make the name of Wudang swordsmanship resound throughout the universe, so that all heroes will respect the sword!"

His words were delivered with resounding force; beneath that roguish air lay soaring ambition and unwavering conviction!

Qiao Tian remained silent for a moment, his eyes filled with reminiscence and emotion, before slowly saying, "I am gratified that you have such aspirations. Speaking of which, there really is such a sword technique..."

His voice was deep, as if he were describing a distant dream: "That sword technique, it is said, has no fixed moves, its core lies in the word 'break'! It is said to be able to break all martial arts in the world!"

"Its general formula is the core principle of mental cultivation, which is complex, varied, and extremely profound."

"There is a Sword-Breaking Style, which is used to break the sword techniques of all schools and sects in the world. It is further divided into dozens of variations such as the Sweeping Sword Style, the Separating Sword Style, the Entangling Sword Style, and the Intercepting Sword Style. It emphasizes defeating the opponent with no moves, finding the enemy's weaknesses, and striking first after the opponent has made a move!"

"There is a style of breaking the blade, which uses lightness and agility to overcome strength and power, and skillful force to break through heaviness and might."

"There are nine styles in total: the Spear Breaker, the Whip Breaker, the Rope Breaker, the Palm Breaker, the Arrow Breaker, and the Qi Breaker... They are said to break all techniques! The Palm Breaker is specifically designed to break through fist, foot, and finger techniques. No matter how powerful your palm strike or how exquisite your finger techniques are, you can find an opening to break through! The Qi Breaker is even more effective against enemies with superior internal strength. Its method is profound and extraordinary..."

Qiao Tian explained the vague concept of "Dugu Nine Swords" in his mind. Although it was not specific, it outlined a supreme sword philosophy that had no moves or styles, only offense and no defense, sought out weaknesses, and could break through all techniques.

Huang Shang, Yao Yao, and Jin Zha listened with rapt attention, as if a door to the ultimate swordsmanship had opened before them! Jin Zha was so excited that he trembled all over, his eyes burning with fervor!

"Master! Where...where is this sword technique?!" Jinzha asked urgently.

Qiao Tian shook his head: "This sword technique is not of this world!"

Jinzha gripped the sword hilt tightly, his breathing rapid: "Break through all laws... Break through all laws! Yes! This is what I want!"

Qiao Tian looked at him and said in a deep voice, "I will do my best to help you obtain the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand technique you desire. As for whether you can grasp its essence, integrate it into your swordsmanship, and create your own 'Sword That Breaks All Laws,' that depends on your destiny."

At this moment, Huang Shang, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke slowly, his voice still calm, but carrying a kind of insightful wisdom: "Junior Brother Jin."

Jinzha looked at him.

Huang Shang said, “According to Master, the core concept of that ‘sword technique’ lies in ‘observing weaknesses,’ ‘anticipating the enemy’s moves,’ and ‘striking after the opponent has made a move.’ Its foundation is not in memorizing how many ways to counter it, but in having a ‘no-form’ mind and a pair of discerning eyes that can see through the ‘principles’ and ‘momentum’ of all things. If you want to create a sword, perhaps the direction should not be to exhaustively counter all moves, but to improve your own level of ‘observation’ and ‘response’. If you can understand the ‘Dao’ and know the laws governing the operation of all things, weaknesses will naturally appear. If you can have a ‘unobstructed’ mind, your ability to respond will be limitless. This may point out a path for you, Junior Brother.”

Huang Shang's words were like the sun breaking through the clouds, pointing out a more profound and feasible path for Jinzha's ambition to "break through all laws".

Jinzha was stunned, as if struck by a thunderbolt, his eyes flashing intensely as he frantically digested his brother's highly enlightening advice.

Meanwhile, in another, more luxurious inn on the border.

Inside the private room, Li Qiushui sat gracefully by the window, her face still veiled in white gauze, revealing only a pair of captivatingly beautiful eyes as she sipped fragrant tea. Duan Yu sat opposite her, with delicate pastries laid out before him, but he seemed oblivious to the food, his eyes practically glued to Li Qiushui, his gaze infatuated, as if gazing upon a deity.

"Fairy Sister, you...you should try this. It's osmanthus cake from Jiangnan, sweet but not greasy..." Duan Yu recommended cautiously, his face as red as a boiled shrimp.

Seeing his infatuated appearance, Li Qiushui's smile deepened. She found it quite amusing and deliberately said in a sweet voice, "You have such a sweet tongue. Your attentiveness makes me a little uncomfortable."

Duan Yu quickly replied, "It is my honor to serve the Fairy Sister!" He felt that even if he died immediately, it would be worth it to be able to be so close to the "Fairy Sister".

Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance of the inn. There stood Kumārajīva, clad in a brand-new kasaya, his face glowing with pride, striding in with an air of smug satisfaction. Behind him, the mad beggar, carefully escorted by several Tibetan warriors, approached as if serving a master.

Chapter 85 You Stinky Bald Monk, It's You!

At the foot of Wudang Mountain, the largest inn, "Yingxianke," is bustling with activity and thriving business. Pilgrims, wandering knights, and merchants traveling to and from Wudang often stop here to rest, sample local specialties, and exchange stories.

Amidst the commotion, Kumārajīva, clad in a brand-new, bright red kasaya, strode in, head held high and face glowing. He felt his divine skills had greatly improved, having even routed "Southern Murong," and was in the midst of his triumph and high spirits. He walked with an air of superiority, his eyes looking down on everyone in the world as if he didn't care about them at all.

Behind him, the mad beggar was carefully surrounded by several Tibetan warriors, like a star surrounded by the moon. As soon as Kumārajīva entered, his sharp eyes scanned the entire room, and he saw that there were no empty tables in the main hall, only a few tables where guests were dining.

He frowned, and in order to show his abilities in front of the "senior," he immediately took a few steps forward and came to a table full of martial arts men. Without saying a word, he simply channeled his inner strength, causing his monk's robe to flutter without wind, and a powerful aura pressed down on them. At the same time, he snorted coldly and his gaze swept over the men like lightning.

Those few martial arts practitioners were not without skill, but when they were struck by the aura of Kumārajīva, which contained pure internal energy, they felt their breath catch in their throats and were terrified. Looking at his dignified yet menacing appearance, and the group of Tibetan warriors behind him who were clearly not to be trifled with, they dared not linger any longer. They quickly got up with awkward smiles, not even bothering to pack up their food, and hurriedly paid the bill and left.

Kumārajīva nodded in satisfaction, personally wiped the table and chairs with his sleeve (although the table was already very clean), then turned around, put on a respectful smile, and said to the mad beggar, "Senior, please take a seat! Although this place is simple, the food is still edible. I have already ordered people to prepare the best wine and meat, which will be there immediately."

The mad beggar laughed and made no attempt to be polite, sitting imposingly in the main seat, waiting for his delicious meal.

Their commotion naturally alerted Li Qiushui and Duan Yu, who were inside the private room.

Li Qiushui, who was amusedly teasing the infatuated Duan Yu, narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly upon hearing Kumārajīva's arrogant demeanor and voice outside, peeking through the gap in the beaded curtain. When she saw Kumārajīva's smug expression, her eyes curved into crescents, as if she had seen an extremely interesting toy.

At that moment, Kumārajīva's figure blocked the view between the mad beggar and Li Qiushui's private seat.

A Tibetan warrior strode into the inn, approached Kumārajīva, and whispered, "Grand Preceptor, a secret letter has arrived from the capital. The Tibetan King is very concerned about you and inquires about your return date..."

Kumārajīva, eager to demonstrate his status and ambition to his "senior," waved his hand dismissively before the warrior could finish speaking, his voice booming with undeniable arrogance and confidence: "Go back and report to the King! Tell him that my National Preceptor has gained much from this trip and greatly improved his skills! I will visit Wudang and Shaolin one by one and 'invite' their plaques back to Tibet as an apology! Tell him to wait patiently for another month or so, until my National Preceptor has finished this important matter in the Central Plains, then he will naturally return in glory!"

His words were spoken with such conviction that it seemed as if the plaques of Wudang and Shaolin were already his for the taking. The other diners in the hall exchanged bewildered glances, thinking to themselves how arrogant this foreign monk was!

"Pfft—" Inside the private room, Duan Yu couldn't help but burst out laughing. Although he disliked fighting, he found it quite ridiculous to hear this foreign monk so arrogantly claiming he wanted to tear down the plaques of Wudang and Shaolin. Especially when he thought of his senior brother Huang Shang's extensive knowledge and his senior sister Yao Yao and senior brother Jin Zha's exquisite martial arts, he felt that this man was just talking nonsense.

His smile immediately startled Kumārajīva, who was basking in his own self-satisfaction.

Kumārajīva's sharp gaze instantly locked onto the private room. He couldn't see clearly who was inside through the beaded curtain, but the mockery in the laughter was unmistakable. His face darkened, and he coldly demanded, "Who is behind the curtain? Why are you laughing? Do you find anything laughable about what this National Preceptor has said?!"

Duan Yu, unfazed by being called out, was bolder than ever. A scholar by nature, and with the "Fairy Sister" by his side, his courage swelled. He spoke loudly through the beaded curtain, "Master's ambition is admirable! However… the Wudang Sect is a pillar of the martial arts world, on par with Shaolin, with countless outstanding disciples, and its leader, Master Qiao, is practically a god. Master's desire to take their plaque is… well, like an ant trying to shake a tree, a mantis trying to stop a chariot—it will only invite ridicule!"

His words, though seemingly refined, were laced with sharp sarcasm, which enraged Kumārajīva to the point of rage!

"How dare you insult me, you little brat?!" Kumārajīva was furious. He didn't care about the occasion and was about to step forward to teach this ignorant brat a lesson!

Just as he was about to erupt in anger, a soft, melodious voice, yet one that instantly sent chills down his spine, drifted from the private room:

"Xiao~jiu~zi~?"

These three words, as if imbued with magic, instantly froze all of Kumārajīva's movements! His whole body stiffened, as if he had been doused with ice water, and his arrogance vanished instantly, replaced by a fear that came from the depths of his soul!

He stared intently, only to see a figure in white robes, masked, slowly rise. A pair of beautiful, shimmering eyes, visible above the surface, were smiling at him. Those eyes… that voice…

In an instant, countless unbearable memories flooded Kumārajīva's mind! Back then, before he had mastered his martial arts, he had been captured by this female demon and forced to serve her, bringing her tea and water, massaging her shoulders and back, and being beaten and scolded at the slightest provocation. She would also often use the promise of teaching him the "Little Formless Skill" as bait to toy with him! Those days were simply the darkest shadow of his life! That "Little Kumārajīva" was an inescapable nightmare for him!

"Hehe... Little dove, serve this imperial concubine well, and you'll get your share of the rewards... Haven't you always wanted the Lesser Formless Skill? Let's see what you're capable of..." Those seductive yet playful words from back then seemed to echo in my ears again.

Kumārajīva jolted awake, snapping out of his reverie. He felt his back instantly drenched in cold sweat, and his eyes widened in terror as he looked at Li Qiushui, his body trembling involuntarily. That old hag! How could she be here?!

Seeing Kumārajīva's reaction and hearing Li Qiushui call him "Little Kumārajīva," Duan Yu asked curiously, "Fairy Sister, do you...do you know this master?"

Upon hearing this, Kumārajīva looked at Duan Yu in disbelief: This kid... has some rather unusual tastes! I'm impressed! I'm impressed!

Li Qiushui didn't respond to Duan Yu, but instead looked at Kumārajīva with a smile, like a cat eyeing a mouse. She moved gracefully out of the private room, her hands behind her back, her posture elegant yet playful. She circled the frozen Kumārajīva, looking him up and down, finally stopping in front of him, and said in her captivating voice, tinged with a hint of mockery:

"Little Dove, it's been so many years, you... you've grown up so much!"

These words sounded like the concern of an elder for a younger person, but coupled with her gaze and tone, they gave Kumārajīva goosebumps! He quickly put his hands together, trying to calm himself, but his voice trembled slightly: "Amitabha! Well done, well done! Female benefactor... This humble monk has long seen through the illusions of the world, entered the Buddhist gate, and become a monk! All the past events are like yesterday's death! Why do you... why do you continue to press me so hard?" He tried to use Buddhist teachings to draw a clear line.

Upon hearing this, Li Qiushui laughed even harder, her body trembling with laughter: "Hehehe... How interesting! How interesting! Now that you've become a monk, you don't recognize your former master?"

Just then, the mad beggar, who was engrossed in eating and whose figure was blocked by Kumārajīva, seemed to be disturbed by the commotion. He suddenly shouted impatiently while scratching his back: "Aaaaah! So noisy! Little Zhi! My back is so itchy! Quick! Scratch it for your ancestor!"

At this moment, Kumārajīva was facing the formidable Li Qiushui, caught in a dilemma. Upon hearing the mad beggar's call, his face turned even more grim, as if he were constipated.

Li Qiushui watched with a smile as she looked at Kumārajīva's embarrassed state. Her gaze then passed over him and landed on the crazy beggar who was yelling about scratching his back, with disheveled hair, and gnawing on a roasted chicken with his mouth dripping with oil.

At first, she just thought the beggar was a bit strange, that he could be served by Kumārajīva like this. But when she carefully saw the outline of the mad beggar's face when he occasionally raised it, and especially when she felt the chaotic yet unfathomable aura about him that made her feel a little uneasy, the smile on her face instantly froze!

She extended a slender finger, pointing at the mad beggar, her voice losing its previous charm, carrying a sharp and incredulous chill:

"You stinking bald monk! It's you!"

Chapter 86 The Eight Legions of the Heavenly Dragon: Unfulfilled Desire

Deep within the Sutra Repository of Shaoshi Mountain.

In an extremely simple meditation room, there was only a bed, a futon, a small table, and some scriptures piled in the corner. The air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and the aroma of old books, so quiet that one could almost hear the sound of time flowing by.

The sweeping monk sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes slightly closed. His aura was subtly connected to the entire Sutra Repository and even the entire Shaoshi Mountain, as if he were no longer an independent individual, but a part of this mountain, this pavilion, and the thousands of scriptures, as deep as the sea and as serene as a mountain. There was no imposing aura around him, but he possessed a calming and tranquil field.

Xu Zhu entered quietly. He was now dressed in ordinary monk's robes, his face still bearing a hint of naivety, but a subtle, radiant light flickered in his eyes. His aura was refined and restrained, and his movements blended perfectly with his surroundings. Clearly, his internal energy cultivation had reached a state of profound simplicity, making him a true grandmaster. He respectfully clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Amitabha Buddha, Master."

The sweeping monk slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as clear as a newborn baby's, yet as deep as an ancient well, as he looked at Xu Zhu.

Xu Zhu reported, "Master, this month, three more unique manuals of martial arts techniques have gone missing from the pavilion." His tone was calm, without any surprise. "At the beginning of the month, that benefactor in black took away a copy of the 'Mahayana Finger Manual.' In the middle of the month, another benefactor in black, a tall figure, took away the 'Formless Finger Manual' and the 'Essence of the Prajna Palm' in two separate transactions. I followed Master's instructions and did not stop them, nor did I alert anyone else in the temple."

Upon hearing this, the sweeping monk showed no joy or sorrow on his face, but simply nodded slightly, pointed to a bookshelf beside him, and said in an old and peaceful voice: "Xuzhu, go and take one copy each of the Diamond Sutra, the Heart Sutra and the Vimalakirti Sutra from over there, and put them back in the empty space where they took the secret manuals."

Xu Zhu did as instructed, gently placing the three Buddhist scriptures into the empty slots. After finishing, he couldn't help but turn back, a hint of confusion on his honest face, and asked, "Master, I am foolish. Those two benefactors… they have stolen secret techniques, their hearts are already corrupted, and the seeds of future trouble are sown. Why not only did you not stop them, but you also… you even asked me to fill the gaps with Buddhist scriptures? Isn't this… encouraging their actions?"

The sweeping monk gazed at the swaying bamboo shadows outside the window, let out a long sigh, his voice carrying a sense of worldly wisdom and a hint of compassion: "Xuzhu, do you know that since I stepped into the realm of Grandmaster, I have been able to vaguely sense that all things in this world, though seemingly complex and chaotic, actually have their own predetermined course, just like rivers flowing into the sea, which cannot be reversed by force."

He paused, then slowly said, "Those two... their hearts are deeply entrenched in the poisons of 'greed' and 'anger,' like being trapped in a quagmire, unable to extricate themselves. They came here to steal the scriptures, seemingly seeking power, but in reality, they were driven by their own obsessions, seeking liberation, seeking an answer. However, the way of martial arts, especially Shaolin's unique skills, is closely related to Buddhism. They only pursue 'technique,' not understanding 'principle,' focusing only on 'form,' not understanding 'mind.'"

"This is just like the eight classes of beings in the heavens and the dragons," "The 'gods' enjoy blessings, yet suffer from the 'five signs of decay'; the 'dragons' possess great strength, yet are often filled with anger; the 'yakshas' are brave and strong, yet are violent; the 'gandharvas' seek fragrance, yet have no real form; the 'asuras' are warlike, yet are often filled with jealousy; the 'garudas' eat dragons, yet die from poison; the 'kinnaras' are singing gods, yet have a single horn on their heads; the 'mahoragas' are giant serpents, yet have no feet. These eight classes all have their power, and all have their suffering, subject to their own karma and cause and effect, rarely achieving true freedom."

"The same applies to the two of them. Their obsession with 'seeking' has already led them astray. The more I allow them to take these 'techniques' that contain Buddhist principles, the more they will be devoured by their own greed and anger, and the violent energy in their martial arts, if they cannot comprehend the 'Tao' behind them. It's like adding fuel to the fire; the fuel will never be exhausted, and the fire will never be extinguished. They think they are getting closer to their goal, but in reality, they are getting more and more entangled in the net of cause and effect. The more they 'seek,' the more they 'cannot obtain.' It is not that I am helping them, but their own karma is guiding them toward their destined path. Forcibly stopping them may stop them temporarily, but it will be difficult to sever their fundamental obsession, and may even breed greater disaster."

This explanation, using the metaphor of the Eight Legions of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, blends martial arts, Buddhism, karma, and obsession into one, profound and subtle, directly pointing to the human heart! Xu Zhu listened in a daze, feeling that the wisdom contained in his master's words was as vast as the ocean. Although he could not fully comprehend it, he could still feel the magnificent power that transcended the mundane and saw through the essence, and his heart was deeply shocked.

After a long while, Xu Zhu finally came to his senses, then remembered something else and asked with concern, "Master, what about... Senior Brother Xuan Cheng, what is he doing now...?"

Mentioning Xuancheng, a complex emotion finally surfaced on the usually calm and composed face of the Sweeping Monk. He slowly rose, walked to the window, gazed at the distant mountains, and sighed deeply, his voice filled with endless regret and a hint of admiration:

"Your senior brother Xuancheng is a martial arts prodigy. His lifelong pursuit is to reach the pinnacle of martial arts. His ambition is so high that he wants to be on par with Bodhidharma. He is exceptionally talented and has mastered 72 Shaolin skills. He is the only one in history to have done so."

"However, his martial arts skills were too deeply entrenched, and his obsession was too strong, ultimately leading to a qi deviation, mental confusion, and the loss of all his past memories... What a pity, what a pity!"

The sweeping monk's tone shifted to a peculiar sigh: "Ironically, perhaps it was precisely because of this 'amnesia,' forgetting all the constraints of techniques, forgetting the obsession with 'what level I must reach,' that his astonishing skill, in a state of dazed ignorance and following instinct, broke free from the shackles of form, faintly touching the edge of 'skill approaching the Tao,' integrating the essence of many extraordinary techniques, and pushing it to a purer and more natural peak that even this humble monk had never anticipated... Such a situation is truly... getting what one desires, but isn't it also another form of 'not getting what one desires'? He pursued the peak his whole life, and now perhaps he is at the peak without realizing it, forgetting what he sought. I pity his fate, but I also admire his ability to find another path in his confusion. This is the greatest sorrow of 'not getting what one desires,' and also the greatest fortune."

Xu Zhu's heart was filled with turmoil, both moved by his senior brother's unparalleled talent and tragic heroism, and saddened by the twisted fate that led to this unfortunate ending. A resolute look appeared on his honest face: "Master, this disciple...this disciple wants to go and find him! There must be a way in the temple..."

"Don't ask." The sweeping monk interrupted him, turned around, and looked at Xu Zhu with deep eyes. "Xu Zhu, the beginning and end of fate are all predetermined. Your senior brother is now free of worries, living a muddled life, which may be the best ending for him. He no longer has 'Shaolin,' 'ultimate skills,' 'peak,' or 'Xuancheng' in his heart. If you forcefully search for him and bring him back to this place full of 'past' and 'obsession,' perhaps... you will make him fall back into the abyss of unfulfilled desire, and at that time... he may really never 'come back.' Let him 'forget' like that, perhaps that is the true compassion."

Xu Zhu opened his mouth, seemingly understanding but not quite, and finally just scratched his bald head in frustration, saying憨憨地, "Master, what you're saying is too profound... This disciple... this disciple still doesn't quite understand." But he trusted his master, and since his master said he wouldn't go, then he wouldn't go. However, he felt an even stronger, indescribable concern and sympathy for his unfortunate senior brother.

Chapter 87 The Nine Yin Appears

"Huh? You stinky bald monk?"

Li Qiushui's soft exclamation, tinged with seven parts surprise, broke the hustle and bustle of the inn. Her beautiful eyes swept over the mad beggar who was engrossed in his roast chicken—none other than Master Xuancheng, the number one master of Shaolin Temple in the contemporary era, who possessed seventy-two unique skills and whose skill was astounding, yet who had lost himself when he reached the pinnacle.

Xuan Cheng looked up blankly at the sound, his face smeared with oil, his hair disheveled, and his eyes unfocused. He stared at the woman before him, her face veiled in white, her figure graceful, and tilted his head, trying to think. In the end, his mind went blank. He muttered, "You... know the ancestor? What's all the noise about? Can't you see the ancestor is eating?"

Seeing his dazed state, Li Qiushui was first taken aback, then a look of understanding and even greater interest flashed in her eyes. She had no enmity with Xuan Cheng; more than ten years ago, they had fought to a draw in the back mountains of Wudang, and were considered equally skilled masters. Seeing him in this state now, she couldn't help but feel a thrill of discovery.

"Hehe," Li Qiushui giggled, her voice sweet and charming, "It's been many years, and you're even more charming than before. But your memory... it really saddens me." Before she finished speaking, she moved slightly, drifting closer like a white cloud. Her slender fingers seemed to casually brush towards Xuan Cheng's shoulder, but in reality, they contained the White Rainbow Palm Force that she had honed for many years. The force was flexible and unpredictable, intended to test the depth of his current cultivation level. It was a common "hand-sparring" technique among masters.

However, faced with this seemingly gentle touch, Xuan Cheng didn't even lift his eyelids. His greasy shoulder seemed to unconsciously sink and rotate slightly in the air, the movement appearing casual, yet it subtly brought forth a vortex of energy like the "Turning Wheel Treasury" that could dissolve all force.

“The mind is like a skilled painter, capable of depicting all worlds.” He mumbled a verse from the Avatamsaka Sutra.