Chapter One, Disciples of Qingcheng

Hahaha, that's why the good things are left for Tianyi

I have poor comprehension; no matter how hard I try, it seems futile. I am merely doing my best to not fall behind you all. Wang Tianyi sighed

Wang Tianyi fixed his gaze on the yellow light, ran up the steps, paused in front of the cotton curtain, lifted his leg, which was as stiff as a wooden pestle, and then dropped it down stiffly. This way, by stamping his feet, he could leave the snow and mud at the door.

The headquarters of the Qingcheng Sect, ranked sixteenth in the martial arts world, is located on the magnificent Qingcheng Mountain.

What are you saying? Doesn't the leader only have one son?

The falling snow is accompanied by sound, yet this sound brings about silence

In terms of sheer numbers, excluding the hired workers, experts, and miscellaneous individuals involved in business operations, there are more than 200 apprentices who have come from various places to Qingcheng to learn the craft.

Qingzhou, an ancient city located in the land of Yan and Zhao, is built to the east of Qingcheng Mountain and Guishan, and looks westward towards the Weiji River. Although the city is not large, it boasts a rich atmosphere and beautiful scenery, having produced many renowned scholars and poets. Furthermore, its proximity to the capital city and its strategic position on the vital route leading north from the Central Plains contribute to a bustling scene of merchants and travelers, with mules and horses coming and going, creating a picture of prosperity

Ha, Tianyi is truly diligent, practicing swordsmanship every night without fail, rain or shine, even in this dreadful weather today! Are you planning to take first place in the martial arts competition?" The speaker is a tall man with a red face, Zhang Chuanxiu, the oldest disciple in the room, who is currently smiling at Wang Tianyi, who is changing clothes.

This person is named Wang Tianyi. He jogs through the snow, the bright reflection of the snow making the surroundings appear even brighter, while also intensifying the cold; especially in his feet, the coarse and cheap pigskin boots offer no protection against the snow's encroachment. After treading in the snow for a long time, his feet are now wet, sticky, and cold, with the chill creeping up from his numbed feet to his calves, forcing him to stop intermittently during his run to tighten his pant legs with his hands. Only the softness of the fabric can provide a fleeting illusion of warmth to his snow-cold calves. His exposed hands have long since turned red and swollen, with his ten fingers resembling ten red carrots standing out in the cold. Being such a frostbitten unfortunate, he can only think of quickly returning indoors to burrow under the covers for warmth.

Yang Yuehai, at the age of forty, completed his training at the age of twenty-seven and became the chief escort of the Fuwei Escort Agency. At thirty-five, he was hired back by the sect leader Wei Xichong with a substantial salary to serve as an instructor. The two hundred disciples of Qingcheng were divided into five groups: A, B, C, D, and E, with several instructors in each group. Yang Yuehai served as the chief instructor of Group E, responsible for swordsmanship, while managing the other instructors who taught them palm techniques and internal skills. The two hundred disciples of Qingcheng were divided into five groups: A, B, C, D, and E, with several instructors in each group. Yang Yuehai served as the chief instructor of Group E, responsible for swordsmanship, while managing the other instructors who taught them palm techniques and internal skills

There was once a long-abandoned Taoist temple, which was later purchased and renovated by the founding master of the Qingcheng Sect, the "Flowing Wind Swordsman" Wei Tianxiao. Through the tireless efforts and diligent management of successive generations of Qingcheng disciples, the Qingcheng Sect was finally developed and flourished, achieving its current status in the martial world.

If Wei Tianxiao could see the splendid scenery of Qingcheng at this moment, he would surely smile from the depths of the underworld. He would undoubtedly be very pleased that both Qingcheng and the head of the library, Wei Xichong, have not tarnished his lineage.

"Tianyi, ever since you entered Qingcheng, you have worked so hard every day for the past three years. I truly admire you," said Zhao Qianjie, who was sitting on the bed next to Wang Tianyi, reading a book. He was the same age as Tianyi and had entered Qingcheng to practice martial arts at the same time, being Tianyi's best friend.

If the sword is of the fine quality like that worn by the disciples of the Armor Group, it would not break; if the sword does not break, Wang Tianyi's fist will land on his opponent's face

Well, the one from the sect leader, Tianyi, wouldn't even look at it... At the very least, it should be the daughter of one of the Seven Heroes!

What they are doing now is exactly what one should do on a cold snowy night: all huddled under the covers, stripped of their clothes. Yet, no one expresses any surprise at Wang Tianyi, who returns home in the middle of the night, drenched and cold. They continue their conversations and laughter, seemingly accustomed to it all.

Lifting the door curtain to enter, this room resembled a house provided by a wealthy master for his servants, large yet simple. Facing the door was a corridor, within which were two tables, and on either side were long, spacious kang beds, each accommodating eight people, apart from his current companions who were all present.

Wang Tianyi's opponent in Group B used the move "Weak Water Three Thousand," but Wang Tianyi was too quick. He neither defended with a horizontal sword nor attacked from below with "Spring Breeze Again Passing Through." Instead, he directly struck his opponent's sword with his own, resulting in both swords breaking simultaneously

When Wang Tianyi entered Qingcheng, he was not lying on the bunk in Group W as he is now. Upon entering, he was in Group A. The following year, he was directly moved to Group C without undergoing the competition. A year ago, he worked hard to defeat the disciples in the same group, ranking third in swordsmanship in Group B, and entered the competition. However, after the competition ended, he was reprimanded, and as a result, he is now in Group W.

Do not make fun of the senior brother, or I will report you!

This comment was made in front of all the disciples, and at that moment, Wang Tianyi's face seemed as if it were about to bleed. From that point on, Wang Tianyi became more diligent, yet his swordsmanship deteriorated further. Every time Yang Yuehai mentioned Tianyi, he would shake his head and say: "When I first taught him, I thought he had potential, but now it seems he is not suited for practicing swordsmanship and lacks the talent for martial arts."

For example, the "Weak Water Three Thousand" of the Qingcheng Sword Technique is an attacking move. The feint attack is a horizontal cut from the waist. After the opponent changes their defense in response, it transforms the horizontal cut into a rapid three thrusts to the opposite door. At this moment, one should respond with the defensive move "Spring Breeze Again Passes".

The most famous swordsmanship of the Qingcheng Sect is the Liufeng Sword Technique, which is recognized in the martial arts world as one of the most elegant sword styles, flowing gracefully like a gentle breeze caressing the surface of the water. Subsequently, through the research of successive generations, the Qingcheng Sword Technique was developed, equally characterized by its ethereal elegance

His words elicited a burst of laughter, "Be careful, you've come in first; the sect leader is inviting you to marry into the family!"

The head coach of Group A is not the instructor, but the master himself

However, not long after, a pair of boots shattered the tranquil sound of falling snow. They heavily stepped into the snow, accompanied by a person's weary breathing, creating a crunching noise all the way from the back mountain to the Qingcheng Sect.

Because Wang Tianyi's style of play is too fierce, there is no trace of the Qingcheng Sect's influence to speak of

I will kill you, kid! Hahaha

As of now, Qingcheng's businesses have spread throughout Qingzhou, including escort agencies, layouts, timber yards, restaurants, and the training of apprentices in martial arts, all of which are thriving and generating substantial profits

After watching his match against Team B, the sect leader asked the person beside him, "Is this disciple from our Qingcheng Sect?"

Wang Tianyi has changed into a clean set of clothes and crawled into bed, accustomed to the playful banter and jokes of his brothers. He watches them with a smile.

Finally, we have arrived. The dormitory of the fifth generation disciples of the Qingcheng Sect, Group Wu, is just ahead. A faint yellow candlelight is visible through the window, not particularly noticeable in the bright snowlight, yet the mere color evokes a sense of warmth

Thus, Wang Tianyi arrived at Group W again, and the stark contrast between his diligence and his foolishness made him feel unable to hold his head up high

Brother Tianyi, I think you are quite clever. How come every time..." The elder Shiliu, who was sleeping opposite, felt he had misspoken halfway through his question. Wang Tianyi is now nineteen years old. He joined the Qingcheng Sect at the age of sixteen to learn Qingcheng martial arts. He is one of the most diligent among the fifth generation disciples. After a day of hard training, he still goes to practice swordsmanship in the woods behind the mountain. Unfortunately, his martial arts skills have always been lacking. Every time, their swordsmanship master has to scold him, either for improper posture, drawing the sword too quickly, or lacking a sense of rhythm. Wang Tianyi is now nineteen years old. He joined the Qingcheng Sect at the age of sixteen to learn Qingcheng martial arts. He is one of the most diligent among the fifth generation disciples. After a day of hard training, he still goes to practice swordsmanship in the woods behind the mountain. Unfortunately, his martial arts skills have always been lacking. Every time, their swordsmanship master has to scold him, either for improper posture, drawing the sword too quickly, or lacking a sense of rhythm.

Group A, as the name suggests, is the most promising group of disciples. Every year, a martial arts competition is held among the disciples of Qingcheng, where each group sends forth its top ten disciples. In this competition, each master selects elite individuals, and those with potential are promoted to a better group, while those who perform poorly are demoted to a lower group

Originally intending to switch swords and continue the competition, during this interval, the swordsmanship instructor of Group C was spat on by Zhang Wukui, the second strongest beside the sect leader, who angrily scolded, "Is this how you teach fighting?" He also deducted a month's bonus. The instructor, returning with a dark expression, directly told Wang Tianyi, "You should not go on stage anymore; instead, go train with Group E tomorrow"

It is thus at the foot of the mountain, and even more so on the mountain where the biting cold wind howls. The Qingcheng Sect has long been silent, and within the vast sect, even the sound of heavy snow falling is remarkably clear.

However, Wang Tianyi studied for three years. In the first year, he was one of the more promising disciples ranked higher among the fifth generation. However, his performance declined over time; every time he danced, it either looked like he was drunk or he was moving too fast. Their master, Yang Yuehai, commented on his swordsmanship, saying, "You are simply tarnishing the image of our Qingcheng Sect. Our masters are all like graceful gentlemen, while you resemble a rabid dog fighting for scraps."

Tonight, heavy snow falls abundantly. Looking up from Qingzhou City, the dim yet clear light of the snow glimmers between the dark mountains, unmistakably marking the ethereal presence of Qingcheng Mountain in the pitch-black night sky. However, few possess the elegance to appreciate this beauty; in the cold winter snow, retreating indoors and holding a brazier is the common desire of all. Outside Qingzhou City, where can one still see passersby?

No one expected the sword to break simultaneously, and thus, with a bewildered expression, Wang Tianyi held the broken sword in his hand, still raising his fist as if to strike. His opponent also looked equally perplexed, staring at the fist that did not belong to the Qingcheng Sword Technique.