Chapter 5, Apprenticeship
At a critical moment, Yang Xiao drew in his chest and waist, leveraging the force to leap backward, retreating several zhang in an instant. He still showed no signs of panic or distress. When he had retreated halfway, he suddenly flicked his fingers three times, sending out three streams of energy from his fingertips, swift and precise, embodying the martial arts mastery known as "Flicking Finger Divine Skill".
He is very young and has little experience, and he should not have been appointed to an important position. However, Yang Dingtian, with his exceptional talent and vision, employs people without rigid standards, and surprisingly promoted him and Fan Yao, appointing them as the Left and Right Illuminating Envoys of the Ming Sect, with a status only second to that of the Sect Leader
Yang Xiao has always held himself in high regard, believing that he is sufficiently qualified; however, others do not necessarily share this view and have expressed considerable criticism regarding the leader's actions. He thinks that among the renowned martial artists of the world, apart from a few like Yang Jiao Zhu and Zhang Sanfeng, most others are merely superficial. Therefore, he returned to the Central Plains, intending to accomplish a few earth-shattering feats that would earn the respect and admiration of the Ming Cult's followers.
Yang Xiao had traveled extensively since childhood, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience. He prided himself on being aware of all influential sects and factions, yet he had never heard of the names Hongxiu Shennie and Wucheng Dashi. Even the names Xiaohanshan and Yaowangzhuang sounded extremely unfamiliar to him, clearly not well-known. After pondering repeatedly, he still had no clue and coldly remarked: "It seems that Yang has a narrow perspective, having never heard of these two eminent figures in the Buddhist community"
Although both individuals possess extraordinary agility, their exchanges inevitably generate tremendous force and fierce winds, causing harm to the newly sprouted flowers and trees. One can hear the continuous cracking sounds wherever they move, all emanating from the breaking branches and leaves.
If Su Ye were to use this knife, he would most likely lose even faster. However, he has always been adept at sophistry, and despite being at a disadvantage, he still coldly laughed and said: "You are unarmed, does that mean I should be as well?"
Since his debut, he had never faced such a significant setback. On that day, he was defeated by Yang Dingtian, who was the leader of the Ming Sect, a figure whose reputation was not much different from that of Zhang Sanfeng, making it far from a disgrace. At this moment, he faced another defeat, unsure whether to regard Su Ye as the leader of the Waterway or as a martial arts hero of similar age. His face flushed with alternating shades of red and white. Seeing her standing there with a smile, he inexplicably found himself unable to harbor any hatred.
Su Ye was instantly rendered speechless, feeling that he could not keep up with his train of thought, and could only say: "Alright, you are of no use either. Why don't you go fetch a sword, and we can fight again?"
Yang Xiao seemed to be oblivious to his surroundings, scrutinizing her from head to toe. His gaze held anger, embarrassment, but more than anything, astonishment. Previously, he had been like a proud rooster, but now he resembled a defeated rooster reluctant to admit its loss. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "If one does not acknowledge defeat, one is not a true man. In this battle, I, Yang Xiao, have lost, and I admire you. May I ask which sect the Dragon Head belongs to, and who is your master?"
The Twelve Linked Rings is different from the Emei Sect; it is a force of the underworld, not a secluded sect dedicated to cultivation. If he can achieve success in one fell swoop, it is possible that he could compel the entire gang to join the Ming Cult, and even Yang Dingtian would have to regard him with newfound respect
Not long after arriving in the Central Plains, he heard that beyond the six major sects, a water-based gang called the Twelve Linked Forts had emerged, so he came to witness the skills of its leader
Yang Xiao possesses an exceptionally high talent for martial arts. In his youth, he encountered a renowned master and inherited the martial arts lineage of the Heartless Valley from the late Southern Song Dynasty. By the time he reached his early twenties, he had already ranked among the top experts of his era. Later, he traveled to the Western Regions, where he met Yang Dingtian, the leader of the Ming Cult. Due to his admiration and respect for Yang Dingtian's character, he decided to join the Ming Cult
When she smiled, dimples appeared on her face, making her even more beautiful than usual. However, Yang Xiao completely lost his mood for appreciation and looked towards the embroidered belt at her waist. She wore a black knife on her waist, approximately two feet long, shorter than the usual waist knife, but not quite a short knife. The scabbard was flat and straight, as black as night, carrying an air of mystery, leading him to wonder if the blade would have the same color when she drew it from the sheath
At this point, Su Ye finally regarded him as a person of significance, responding with a solemn demeanor, and slowly said: "Brother Yang, you are being overly fanciful. I command the Yangtze River waterways, oversee over ten thousand followers, and dominate the Jiangnan region. I am not afraid of anyone; how could I willingly become someone else's subordinate and obey the orders of the Sun Sect Leader? To be honest, I still need you to deliver a message to the Sun Sect Leader for me."
Su Ye, feeling quite helpless, chuckled and said, "You have already mentioned that I am here, is there really any other choice for me?"
Yang Xiao is by no means a fool; he had long anticipated that she would refuse. However, he decided to give it a try. Even if it did not succeed, it would serve to remind Su Ye of the benefits of the Mingjiao, so that in the future, when assisting the righteous sect, he would not oppose the Mingjiao. Therefore, he was not disappointed and smiled, saying: "Oh?"
Yang Xiao's expression changed slightly, unsure whether she truly meant it or if it was merely a euphemism for "attacking the Bright Summit". Su Ye was about to elaborate in detail when he suddenly exclaimed, turning to look towards the entrance of the shaded grove.
Yang Xiao, being still young, did not possess the deep scheming nature he would later develop, nor did he hide his emotions. Upon hearing this, he became greatly enraged and said: "You actually compare me to that narrow-minded fellow; indeed, you are all of a kind."
Su Ye saw that he did not respond, and after a brief contemplation, he understood his intention. He shook his head and smiled, saying: "Not long ago, you caused the death of Gu Hongzi out of anger; do not repeat the same mistake. If you were to die of anger here, I truly would not know how to explain it to Master Yang."
This moment of sentiment is fleeting, and her spirit returns to clarity. The slender and flexible branch in her hand, with a hint of green, suddenly becomes as straight as a sword, the force concentrated at a single point, piercing like a fine needle through the skin of an elephant, instantly breaking through the palm force of Yang Xiao, akin to the scattering of flowers by a celestial maiden, and heading straight for his left shoulder
Su Ye did not pursue, lightly retreating backwards. When she looked at the branch in her hand again, it had been completely shattered, falling down in pieces. Yang Xiao, in the end, exerted all her strength to launch a counterattack without any gaps. She could not perfectly control such a fragile weapon, and could only let it be pulled and broken by the internal forces of the two.
Su Ye felt that merely sending a message was too disrespectful to the other party, so he smiled and said: "The Master Yang and the Real Man Zhang of Wudang, as well as the Empty-Seeing Monk of Shaolin, are all renowned figures of equal stature, naturally possessing unparalleled skills and invincible in the world. Over the years, I have been busy with the affairs of the guild and have had no time to divert my attention. Now that I have finally made some progress, I am inclined to seek guidance on martial arts from the esteemed seniors. I will take the time to write a letter, expressing my long-standing admiration for the illustrious name of the Master of the Bright Religion. Within six months, I will certainly travel to the Bright Summit to seek his teachings on the art of the Great Shift of the Universe."
However, such a beautiful dream shattered before my eyes. Su Ye's martial arts skills are indeed rare in this world. Especially as she wields a branch as a weapon, executing marvelous techniques that seem effortless, yet each move targets his vulnerabilities.
Yang Ting replied: "Yu Erxia is completely unaware. He has important matters to inform the Lake Master and asked me to help deliver the message. You have previously mentioned that when encountering someone from Wudang, one should be as courteous as possible, so I informed him that the Lake Master is right here. Yu Erxia was overjoyed and is currently waiting in the hall."
Su Ye stood still in place, using branches to shield his body. At this moment, seeing his opponent temporarily retreat, he did not hesitate to rise into the air and pursue. Two figures moved gracefully through the forest, their postures as elegant as two flying birds, a truly beautiful sight. Yet within this beauty lay endless peril.
As Yang Xiao's back hit the ground, he immediately sprang back up, not quite in a state of disarray. However, the back of his white garment was already stained with the damp soil of the forest, resembling a memento of defeat. Moreover, he was well aware that Su Ye had been merciful, not wishing to annihilate him completely; otherwise, having fallen in such a manner, he feared he would never be able to rise again.
Su Ye laughed heartily and said, "It is just as you have not heard of them. If you had heard of the two of them, you would see my dumbfounded expression. They are both no longer in this world, so you need not trouble yourself to inquire."
Su Ye laughed and said: "The lone swan borrowed the Heaven-Defying Sword to dare to challenge, yet I haven't even used my dagger, how have I become one of the same ilk?"
The helmsman of Hongye Ferry, Yang Ting, walked into the forest, looking around. Upon seeing Su Ye truly present, he hurried over. He cast a suspicious glance at Yang Xiao but did not inquire further, only saying: "The Lake Master, the Wudang hero Yu Er has come to pay a visit."
Su Ye did not conceal anything, and with a slight smile, he calmly said: "Xiao Han Mountain, Bao Hell Temple, Hong Xiu Divine Nun. Bai Ma Temple, Yao Wang Village, Master Wu Chen"
Deep within Su Ye's heart, she was secretly in admiration. Yang Xiao, encountering a formidable opponent, inevitably felt disheartened, sensing that his skills were inferior. However, at his age, having achieved such martial prowess was indeed astonishing; although he could not be compared to Zhang Wuji, who became the world's number one master in his twenties, it was still remarkable. She privately assessed that among the six major sects, apart from a few divine monks from Shaolin Temple and Zhang Sanfeng, almost no one could consistently defeat him.
Her voice trembled slightly, akin to the sound of metal and stone, evoking a sense of awe and shock in those who heard it. The mere mention of two names, when spoken by her, was imbued with authority and a sense of menace. Noticing that Yang Xiao was at a loss for words, she kindly continued to explain: "My swordsmanship is rooted in the teachings of my first master, while my knowledge of healing and poisoning comes from the second. Throughout my life, I have learned many martial arts, but only these two are my true mentors."
"Wudang Yu Erxia" refers to Yu Lianzhou, the second disciple of Zhang Sanfeng, whose status is only second to Zhang Sanfeng himself and his senior brother Song Yuanqiao. He is still under thirty years old this year and is also a renowned master in the martial arts world. Wudang and the Twelve Linked Forts have no particular friendship or enmity, and it is unclear why Yu Lianzhou has come to seek an audience.
She said, "Not in this world," and Yang Xiao naturally assumed that her two masters had passed away. Finally, his expression lightened a bit, and he cupped his hands towards her, saying: "I have indeed offended you. Su Longtou, with your feminine form, you have subdued many factions in Jiangnan and established such a grand enterprise, truly deserving of the title of Dragon Head. As the leader of the Ming Sect, I stand tall and firm, with four Dharma Kings and five Wanderers in the sect, all of whom are heroes of our time. If you and your followers are willing to join the Ming Sect, then there would be no one left in the world to fear; even Wudang and Shaolin would have to retreat."
When they engaged in combat, they did not make much noise, nor did they disturb others. At that time, Su Ye's tongue was like spring thunder, yet her internal energy remained condensed and did not disperse, gathering within a radius of three zhang. Those outside could not hear anything. Her subordinates were all aware of her presence here and dared not come to disturb her without reason. Until this moment, no one had discovered her confrontation with Yang Xiao.
As soon as he made contact with it, he felt the clouds and mist transform into ocean waves, crashing against his shoulder. This impact was neither painful nor irritating, yet it contained an astonishing force. He attempted to dissipate it, but found himself utterly unable to do so, only feeling as if he had been struck by a massive wave at sea, causing a sudden constriction in his chest, and he uncontrollably fell from the air, landing flat on his back.
Su Ye was greatly surprised, thinking that today would surely be favorable for travel, so everyone chose to come on the same day. He asked, "How did he know I was at Hongye Ferry?"
Yang Xiao was horrified in his heart, yet he could not pull away from her. He only saw the branches swaying, deftly drawing several circles, as if stirred by the spring breeze, imparting a subtle force that was both present and elusive. That force was extraordinarily peculiar, at times light and at times heavy, seemingly weak to the point of vanishing, yet omnipresent, like the clouds at dawn.
Even so, she won quite beautifully, without suffering the slightest injury. She clapped her hands, threw away the last small piece of branch from the week, and smiled, "Are we still fighting?"
He paused for a moment, then cautiously asked: "Would you like to go out and see him?"
At first, he felt somewhat awkward, but as the conversation progressed, it became increasingly smooth, and his tone was extremely sincere. He surprisingly set aside personal grievances and earnestly invited her to join the Ming Sect.