Chapter 004: The Complete Truth of the Primordial Skill

Wang Yangming surveyed the arrangement within the Daoist temple and spoke

Wang Yangming extended his hand to introduce himself, saying: "I have only been learning martial arts for a little over a month, and because of me, I was pursued and hunted down by Liu Jin. The two of us escaped together from Hangzhou."

Wang Yangming shook his head in confusion

The Wanshou Palace is presided over by my disciple there

Diligent study and hard practice, yet lacking a good teacher

Dragon Gate Sect

Three individuals conversed while walking together. Although they were all ascending the mountain steps, their strides were steady. Even though Xu Lang possessed the least martial arts skill among them, with the support of his stance training, his foundation was also stable. Before long, they had reached the summit and arrived at the temple on this side.

That could not be better

Speaking of these past events, Master Xu could not help but sigh, saying: "Later, there was a debate between Buddhism and Daoism that lasted for twenty years, with the primary focus being on the 'Laozi Huahu Jing' published by the Longmen School. Ultimately, the Longmen School was defeated and lost the support of the Mongolian authorities, retreating once again into the mountains and forests, and restoring the teachings of the founder Qiu Chuji, thus becoming the Hidden Cultivation Longmen.

Master Xu

Upon hearing this, Wang Yangming immediately showed a look of shame on his face, clasped his hands in front of Xu Zhenren, and bowed in salute, indicating that he had been taught a lesson

Xu Lang pondered for a moment, feeling that he had watched "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" for quite some time. He had some understanding of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, the Sun and Moon Holy Cult, and the Shaolin and Wudang schools, but the Dragon Gate Sect was rather vague to him, and he was unclear whether this sect was actually recorded.

As dusk approaches, the mountains and forests are deep and secluded

Moreover, in the words of Wang Yangming, Xu Lang was implicated and was being pursued by Liu Jin

Wang Yangming responded, saying: "Liu Chuxuan founded the Suishan School, Tan Chuduan established the Namo School, Ma Yu created the Yushan School, Hao Datong initiated the Huashan School, Wang Chuyi established the Yushan School, and Sun Bu'er founded the Qingjing School. Up to the present, all these sects still exist one by one..."

When the great way is abandoned, there is benevolence and righteousness; when wisdom emerges, there is great deception; when kinship is in disharmony, there is filial piety and compassion; when the state is in chaos, there are loyal ministers

Xu Zhenren spoke of the origins of the scrolls

Wang Yangming was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this

Xu Zhenren smiled lightly, turned around, and led Wang Yangming and Xu Lang towards the slightly remote mountain path

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhenren merely smiled, looked at Wang Yangming, and asked: "Have you forgotten your ideals of self-cultivation, family regulation, governance, and world peace?"

It is no wonder that upon seeing someone, one would readily seek their advice.

Seeing that you have come in haste and have no place to rest, why not accompany me to the temple to take a break

Wang Yangming was a magnanimous gentleman. Here, he unexpectedly encountered an old friend, completely unguarded. However, Xu Lang was unaware of the true nature of the person before him and still inquired.

The esteemed Master Xu smiled with satisfaction and said: "After the Longmen Sect was passed down, the first generation patriarch was Yin Zhiping. Patriarch Yin collected the remains of Patriarch Changchun and taught for eight years, after which he returned to Zhongnan Mountain to restore the Quanzhen ancestral temple. The second generation patriarch, Li Zhichang, succeeded him. After the passing of Patriarch Li Zhichang, the Longmen Sect lost its way. They relocated the sect to the capital, mingling with the powerful figures of the court, constructing grand palaces and temples, and becoming prominent for a time, while also destroying numerous Buddhist temples and smashing Buddha statues..."

Xu Zhenren walked leisurely ahead, while simultaneously speaking to Xu Lang and Wang Yangming about himself, saying: "The lineage I follow is the Quanzhen school from the Song Dynasty, founded by the patriarch Wang Chongyang. Wang Chongyang passed down the teachings to the Seven Disciples of Quanzhen, who then branched out and established seven sects. I am one of the members of the Longmen sect."

The young man is indeed cautious

Originally, in his view, the Quanzhen sect only existed during the periods of The Legend of the Condor Heroes and The Return of the Condor Heroes, and by the time of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, it had already declined. However, after listening to Master Xu, he realized that the Quanzhen sect has indeed continued to exist up to the present day

Moreover, based on Xu Zhenren's words, Xu Lang speculated that the hybrid from the Divine Eagle period was likely Zhen Zhibing

Wang Yangming clasped his fists in a gesture of humility and said: "It is your inspiration that has allowed me to preserve my life even in prison"

Master Xu smiled and asked

Xu Zhenren smiled and nodded, saying: "Do you know what the origin of the scripture we discussed and unraveled at that time was?"

Master Xu smiled and said, "Years ago, I traveled to that place and stayed there for some time. It was also there that I met you. We felt an instant connection and engaged in conversation. Although you are a scholar of Confucianism, the principles of the three teachings are fundamentally interconnected. I gained considerable insight from our discussions.

Master Wang Chongyang is truly remarkable, and each of the Seven Disciples of the Complete Reality School has inherited a lineage.

Master Xu quoted a passage from the Dao De Jing, looking at Wang Yangming, and said: "The country is in need of individuals like you at this very moment; how can you so easily give up?"

Xu Zhenren looked at Xu Lang, never expecting him to be so straightforward, directly asking for martial arts and guidance upon their first meeting. He couldn't help but chuckle in surprise. He momentarily turned his attention away from Xu Lang and instead looked at Wang Yangming, who was standing nearby.

Where does Master Xu take up residence

Indeed, it is the Longmen Sect passed down from the Grandmaster of Changchun

Xu Lang listened to these words and gained a clearer understanding of the Quanzhen Sect

This place is somewhat similar to the Wanshou Palace

Upon hearing these words, Xu Zhenren laughed heartily and said, "The cultivation of the self in Confucianism is precisely based on this principle"

Wang Yangming smiled upon hearing this, followed by Xu Zhenren, and said: "When good thoughts arise, people are aware of them; when evil thoughts arise, people can restrain them. Yangming always maintains this mindset, therefore the goodness and wickedness of human hearts are mostly clear."

Xu Zhenren turned to Xu Lang and said with a smile, "Indeed, Shouren, you are too easily trusting of others; in navigating the martial world, you are bound to suffer losses."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhenren carefully scrutinized Xu Lang and said: "Seeing your progress, it seems you have indeed put in considerable effort, but without encountering a renowned master, it is no wonder that this is the case..."

Xu Zhenren possesses a broad-minded disposition. Upon meeting Wang Yangming for the first time, he was able to reveal profound principles of internal cultivation during their conversation. Naturally, he also harbors a generous heart towards Xu Lang, who came seeking to learn the techniques.

That scroll of scripture was passed down by Master Qiu Chuji, originating from the pre-heavenly skills of Master Wang Chongyang. Although it is merely a fragment, it has greatly benefited us.

If you sincerely wish to learn, I can naturally impart to you some self-defense techniques

Longmen Sect

Xu Lang followed behind and asked aloud

Has it been just over a month since you started learning martial arts

Wang Yangming clasped his hands in salute and said with a hearty laugh

Mr. Xu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this

Wang Yangming looked at Master Xu and said, "My career has not been smooth, and I feel disheartened. I wish to retreat into the mountains to cultivate alongside you. Would you be willing to accept me?"

Wang Yangming exclaimed in surprise and said, "So it turns out to be the legacy of the True Man of Changchun, Qiu Chuji"

This young man is called Xu Lang

Qiu Chuji's name is indeed well-known to Xu Lang. In "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes," although the Seven Disciples of Quanzhen are not considered the pinnacle of martial arts, Jin Yong has devoted considerable literary effort to Qiu Chuji. Among the Seven Disciples, he stands out as the most accomplished in martial arts.