58: Chapter 58 A Sword Debate Under a Lamp

The nineteen peaks of Cangshan Mountain in Dali are towering and majestic, wreathed in clouds and mist.

Below the main peak, Malong Peak, a rustic Zen monastery lies hidden among the green pines and cypresses; with its blue tiles and white walls, it is isolated from the world, accompanied only by the morning bells and evening drums.

This is precisely the place where the Southern Emperor chose to live in seclusion after becoming a monk—the Jingxin Zen Monastery.

Zhang Sanfeng, wearing a moon-white Daoist robe, walked slowly along the stone path in the mountains.

After leaving Peach Blossom Island, he traveled westward for half a month and finally arrived in Dali.

Along the way, he saw that the people lived in peace and contentment, and the markets were bustling; it was evident that even though many of the Duan clan had abdicated to become monks, they still governed Dali in an orderly fashion.

Upon reaching the gates of the monastery, a woodcutter wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a load of firewood blocked his path.

The woodcutter's gaze was sharp as he looked Zhang Sanfeng up and down, saying in a deep voice, "Daoist, please stop. My master is currently in quiet cultivation and does not see outside guests."

"I am Zhang Sanfeng, here specifically to pay my respects to Master Yideng," Zhang Sanfeng said, bowing slightly. "I must trouble you to pass on the message."

"My master does not see outsiders." The woodcutter's expression darkened; he set down his firewood, clenched his fists, and adopted a defensive stance.

He was the leader of Master Yideng's four great Disciples—the Woodcutter among the Farmer, Scholar, Fisherman, and Woodcutter—and had once followed the Southern Emperor onto the battlefield; his martial arts were formidable.

Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly, not angry at all. "There is no need for you to be angry, benefactor."

"I have not come to seek revenge, but to discuss the Dao with the Great Master. If the Great Master is unwilling to see me, I shall leave on my own."

"Enough talk!" the woodcutter shouted, throwing a punch toward Zhang Sanfeng.

The wind from his fist was fierce and powerful, carrying a rugged, wild energy.

Zhang Sanfeng did not move, simply guiding with his right hand to unleash the Taiji Cloud Hands.

The woodcutter felt a gentle yet tenacious force, causing his fist to deflect involuntarily, and he stumbled forward a few steps.

Startled, he quickly steadied himself and threw another punch.

This punch was faster and more ferocious, accompanied by a whistling wind.

Zhang Sanfeng still did not dodge or evade, simply turning his wrist and following the momentum to lead it away.

The woodcutter felt the world spinning; his body turned involuntarily several times before he fell heavily to the ground.

He struggled to get up, only to find his arm entangled by an invisible force, unable to move.

"Stop!"

Just then, the monastery gates slowly opened.

An old man dressed in monk's robes walked out slowly.

His face was kind, his brows filled with compassion, and although his hair and beard were white, he was full of vitality.

It was none other than Master Yideng, the Southern Emperor.

Behind him followed his three Disciples: the Farmer, the Scholar, and the Fisherman.

"Junior Brother, do not be rude," Master Yideng said calmly.

The woodcutter quickly lowered his head, saying shamefully, "Disciple knows his mistake."

Master Yideng waved his hand, releasing the force Zhang Sanfeng had used to bind the woodcutter.

He looked at Zhang Sanfeng, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "The Daoist's martial arts are truly worthy of their reputation."

"Great Master, you flatter me," Zhang Sanfeng said, bowing slightly.

"I have come this time, firstly to pay my respects to the Great Master, and secondly to exchange insights on martial arts."

"Please, come inside, Daoist," Master Yideng said, stepping aside to let him pass, and led Zhang Sanfeng into the monastery.

The monastery was very quiet and secluded, planted with bodhi trees and camellias.

In the center of the courtyard was an ancient well, its water crystal clear.

The two sat down at a stone table beside the ancient well, and a young novice monk served tea.

"Daoist, you have come from afar; it must have been a tiring journey."

Master Yideng picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"You are too kind, Great Master," Zhang Sanfeng said, also picking up his teacup.

"I have long heard of the peerless Dali skills, the One Yang Finger and the Six Meridian Divine Sword, and I have always held them in high regard."

"To be able to meet the Great Master today, I hope to ask for your guidance."

At the mention of martial arts, a glimmer of light flashed in Master Yideng's eyes.

"The Daoist overstates it. My meager skills are nothing but showing off before an expert like you."

"On the contrary, I am very curious about the Daoist's martial arts, which combine hardness and softness and are infinitely changeable."

The two talked happily, discussing everything from Buddhism to martial arts, from life to the universe.

Master Yideng discovered that Zhang Sanfeng was not only peerless in martial arts but also extremely knowledgeable.

Whether it was Buddhist Zen philosophy or Daoist metaphysics, he had unique insights.

He felt an increasing sense of admiration for Zhang Sanfeng.

Unknowingly, it was already noon.

Master Yideng set down his teacup and said slowly, "Empty talk is of no use. Why don't I show my incompetence and ask for the Daoist's guidance?"

As he spoke, he stood up and walked to the center of the courtyard.

He slowly raised his right index finger, and a faint golden light appeared at the tip.

"This is the One Yang Finger, the ancestral martial art of my Duan clan."

"The One Yang Finger is divided into nine grades," Master Yideng said calmly. "The highest Realm can achieve 'Finger Qi raging, injuring from a distance'."

Before his voice had faded, he flicked his finger, and a golden beam of finger energy shot out, hitting a bodhi leaf three zhang away with precision.

The bodhi leaf fell at the sound, without the slightest damage, except that the petiole had been neatly severed by the finger energy.

"Good technique!" Zhang Sanfeng exclaimed. "The One Yang Finger can not only injure but also control force with such precision; it is truly exquisite."

"The Daoist is too kind," Master Yideng smiled slightly. "The One Yang Finger can not only injure but also heal."

He walked over to the woodcutter, extended his finger, and tapped lightly on the woodcutter's shoulder.

A gentle golden finger force was injected into the woodcutter's body.

The woodcutter felt a warm current surge through his entire body, and the soreness left from his fight with Zhang Sanfeng instantly vanished.

"The One Yang Finger is based on Pure Yang Internal Energy and travels through the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, capable of stimulating the source of Life Qi within the human body."

"It can use Yang to overcome Yin, breaking through various cold toxins, and can also nourish the Meridians and treat internal injuries," Master Yideng explained.

Zhang Sanfeng nodded, lost in thought.

He could clearly feel that the finger energy of the One Yang Finger contained a vigorous Shaoyang Life Qi.

This power was of the same Origin as his Pure Yang Dao Rhyme, but it was gentler and better at nourishing life.

"The Great Master's One Yang Finger has already reached the Transcendent Realm."

Zhang Sanfeng stood up and walked to the center of the courtyard. "I shall also show my incompetence and demonstrate my Wudang Sect's Taiji Fist for the Great Master."

He slowly drew circles with both hands, and a layer of pale golden Taiji halo appeared on his palms.

"Taiji is born from Wuji, the mother of Yin and Yang."

"Using softness to overcome hardness, using stillness to control movement, borrowing force to strike, and deflecting a thousand catties with four ounces," Zhang Sanfeng said calmly.

Seeing this, Master Yideng did not hesitate; he flicked his right index finger, and a golden beam of finger energy shot toward Zhang Sanfeng.

Zhang Sanfeng turned his wrist, the Taiji circular energy following the momentum to lead it away; the finger energy changed direction and struck a nearby stone, creating a deep pit.

"Good!" A flicker of admiration passed through Master Yideng's eyes, and he flicked out several more beams of finger energy in succession.

The finger energy shot toward Zhang Sanfeng like meteors, sealing off all his paths of retreat.

Zhang Sanfeng's expression did not change; his feet trod the Bagua footwork, and his figure drifted like willow catkins.

His hands moved rapidly, the Taiji circular energy layering upon itself, neutralizing all the finger energy one by one.

No matter how fierce Master Yideng's finger energy was, it could not break through his defense.

"The Daoist's Taiji is truly divine."

Master Yideng stopped his movements and exclaimed, "My One Yang Finger emphasizes 'speed, precision, and ruthlessness,' breaking a surface with a single point."

"And the Daoist's Taiji emphasizes 'circularity, harmony, and neutralization,' controlling a point with the whole surface."

"The two are diametrically opposed, yet each has its own merits."

"The Great Master is correct," Zhang Sanfeng nodded.

"In the way of martial arts, all paths lead to the same destination. Whether breaking a surface with a point or controlling a point with a surface, the ultimate goal is to defeat the enemy."

The two looked at each other and smiled, both having gained inspiration from the other's martial arts.

Zhang Sanfeng realized the wonders of the Shaoyang Life Qi from the One Yang Finger, which was of great help to him in perfecting the Life Runes of his Physical Body inscriptions.

Master Yideng also saw the direction of combining hardness and softness from the harmonious path of Taiji, compensating for the flaw of the One Yang Finger being too rigid and fierce.

"My Duan clan has another martial art called the Six Meridian Divine Sword."

Master Yideng pondered for a moment and said slowly, "This martial art is the highest peerless skill of my Duan clan, transforming Internal Energy into invisible Sword Qi through the six Meridians of the fingers, with infinite power."

"Unfortunately, my Aptitude is dull, and because of past events, my heart remains troubled; my Internal Energy cannot reach the Transcendent Realm, so I can only use one meridian to this day."

As he spoke, he raised his right index finger again, and a faint cyan light appeared at the tip.

Unlike the gold of the One Yang Finger just now, the Sword Qi of the Six Meridian Divine Sword was sharper and purer.

"This is the Shangyang Sword, which travels through the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian."

Master Yideng said calmly.

Before his voice had faded, he flicked his finger, and an invisible Sword Qi shot out.

With a "chi" sound, a boulder three zhang away was neatly cut in two.

The cut was as smooth as a mirror, as if it had been sliced by a sharp blade.