Chapter Nine, Disciples of Wudang

There is no need to run today

Ah, could this be the legendary bone cleansing technique? Ha, I've struck it rich, I've struck it rich. Yin Zuo felt quite pleased with himself and quickly nodded, saying: "Yes, Master."

Hehe, the tenth rule must be not to collude with the authorities, right? You have already violated this one, haha. Yin Zuo secretly laughed in his heart, but on his face, he put on a righteous expression and said: "Disciple will strictly follow the master's teachings. The first rule is not to commit adultery or plunder, the second is not to bully the weak..." Fortunately, Yin Zuo had a good memory and recited a whole bunch of rules that were longer than a lazy woman's foot-binding cloth.

I can't believe it! Do you really think I'm a prodigy? With so many verses, I'm not a deity; how could I possibly memorize them all without a single mistake? This is a matter of internal cultivation. If I misremember even one character, it could cost lives. Helpless, Yin Zuo could only force a smile and say, "Master, I will recite it again; please guide me. The way of heaven is to diminish the excess and replenish the insufficient..."

Oh? No need to run? Yin Zuo looked at Chen Tianyuan with a puzzled expression. In the dim light of the room, Chen Tianyuan's face, which had never shown any expression, revealed a faint smile at this moment. Not running laps with the * diagram * book? Then what are we doing? Is even occupying the position exempted? As Yin Zuo was pondering this in his mind, Chen Tianyuan spoke again, startling him greatly: "Kneel down!"

Article 2: Bullying the weak is prohibited

Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly and ceased to speak, pointing like a sword, his movements heavy as he struck the thirty-six major acupoints on Yinzuo's body. The pain was not mild but excruciating; Yinzuo felt as if someone inside him was using a knife to cut flesh and dig bones, causing his small face to turn green, his eyes wide open like copper bells, and his body trembling like a sieve. Before Yinzuo could utter a sound, Chen Tianyuan changed his technique, his fingers moving like the wind, swiftly striking Yinzuo's seventy-two acupoints in a flash. The pain was not mild but excruciating; Yinzuo felt as if someone inside him was using a knife to cut flesh and dig bones, causing his small face to turn green, his eyes wide open like copper bells, and his body trembling like a sieve. Before Yinzuo could utter a sound, Chen Tianyuan changed his technique again, his fingers moving like the wind, swiftly striking Yinzuo's seventy-two acupoints in a flash. After finishing, Chen Tianyuan himself also turned pale, breathing heavily, and without much thought, he sat down on the ground, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing.

To be honest, in his previous life, Yin Zuo really did not possess such great perseverance. Back in the day, when he had to run 1500 meters, he would immediately collapse into a heap of mud. Every time there was a long-distance running class, he would always slack off. When it came time for the exam, he would think of every possible way to cheat, whether it was hiring someone to run for him or hiding after running half a lap, only to blend in with the main group during the last lap. He had done this quite a lot. Now, surprisingly, he has been running for half a year, and even he himself can hardly believe it. After pondering for a long time, he could only attribute it to the syndrome of crossing over. Perhaps persistence is truly part of Yin Zuo's original character.

Chen Tianyuan spoke in one breath about nine points, which were mostly about maintaining order and eliminating violence. However, when he reached the tenth point, he only got halfway through before stopping. After a moment of silence, he said: "The tenth point is waived. You must keep the other nine points firmly in mind and must not violate the rules of the door. Do you all remember?"

Indeed! This is truly the case. Those martial arts dramas from my previous life have long been overplayed. However, such words can only be kept to oneself. Yinzuo also replied with a serious expression: "Please, Master, show me."

Days passed in the agony of Yinzuo running laps, and before long, it was already April of the twenty-fifth year of Kangxi. Since Yinzuo had taken Chen Tianyuan as his master, more than half a year had gone by, yet he still had not seen any sign of internal strength. Every day, he rose at the third watch, running laps and practicing standing post without pause. First, he ran lightly, and later, he ran with sandbags tied to him. Gradually, Yinzuo adapted to this grueling lifestyle, his physique becoming increasingly robust, and he grew noticeably taller.

Itch, an unbearable itch, so intense that Ying Zuo felt an urge to scratch all over or burst into laughter. Yet, he remembered Chen Tianyuan's earlier words and dared not act recklessly, fearing he might lose control. Just as the itch became intolerable, a surge of heat suddenly appeared within him, initially circulating slowly through the thirty-six major acupoints, then rapidly traversing the one hundred and eight acupoints throughout his body. Wherever it passed, all the tingling and pain instantly vanished, and a languid sensation enveloped Ying Zuo's entire being.

Is it really that simple to become a disciple of Wudang just by running a lap? No way! Of course not! Just as Yin Zuo was mumbling to himself, Chen Tianyuan's previously calm tone suddenly turned stern: "Since you are already a disciple of Wudang, you must abide by the rules of the sect. If I discover any misconduct on your part, I will have no choice but to personally revoke the martial arts skills you possess."

Article 10: No collusion shall be allowed

It is not enough to simply remember; one must engrave the rules in one's heart and constantly remind oneself not to violate them. As the personal guard of the esteemed Kangxi Emperor, Chen Tianyuan had long been aware of Yinzuo's exceptional memory, so he was not particularly surprised that he could remember everything he heard.

No acts of adultery or pillaging shall be permitted

Very well, from today onwards, I shall begin to impart to you the internal martial arts principles of Wudang. The essence of Wudang states: "The way of heaven reduces the excess and replenishes the insufficient..." Chen Tianyuan spoke in a flowing manner, reciting everything from the essence of Wudang to various fist techniques and sword techniques. In the end, he asked, "Have you memorized everything?"

Very well. Chen Tianyuan nodded and said: "From today onwards, you are the eighteenth generation disciple of Wudang."

Fortunately, Yin Zuo has a good memory and has mostly memorized the lengthy verses that were recited, with only a few errors here and there. After being pointed out by Chen Tianyuan, he managed to remember them all, though he remained oblivious to their deeper meanings. Just as he was about to ask for clarification, Chen Tianyuan said with a serious expression: "Sit cross-legged, with your five hearts facing the sky." Yin Zuo did not understand the meaning but followed the instructions. Chen Tianyuan adjusted Yin Zuo's sitting posture and continued: "In a moment, I will help you open your meridians, which may be somewhat painful. You must not move around, or you risk going astray in your practice. Remember the route of your internal energy's circulation, do you understand?"

... ...

The Ten Commandments of Wudang Sect

"Get up." Chen Tianyuan's cold voice interrupted Yinzuo's pleasant dream. Well, the running routine had to begin again. Yinzuo did not dare to be negligent; he quickly rolled out of bed, hurriedly put on his sandbags and clothes, and jumped down, ready to dash out the door. This had all become a conditioned reflex. Ever since he became Chen Tianyuan's disciple, Chen had moved into the elder brother's residence, sleeping in the room next to Yinzuo. Every day, regardless of wind or rain, he would appear punctually at the third watch. There was one time when Yinzuo was truly exhausted and, taking advantage of a heavy downpour, planned to sneak in a little rest, resolutely refusing to get out of bed. Unexpectedly, Chen Tianyuan was even more relentless. "Is it raining outside?" he asked. "Are you afraid of getting sick from the rain? Well then, let’s get you wet first and then you can run without any problem." A large bucket of cold water was poured over him, and not only were his clothes soaked, but even the bedding was drenched. Soon, amidst the downpour, a little child could be seen running about energetically.

Kneel down? Is there a mistake? Who are we? We are the elder brother; in this palace, apart from our elders, who can command us to kneel? Hmm, no, it seems that in those martial arts novels I read in my previous life, the master always did this before imparting skills. Could it be that this old gentleman Chen also enjoys this? Though I think this, Yinzuo still hesitates and kneels down.

Yes, Master