In the second instance, there are those in the world who hold themselves in high regard, yet their display of skills leads to their own downfall

Meixi's eyes twinkled as she thought of something serious: "Great-grandfather, what spell did you use to catch shrimp today? Can you teach me?"

Meixi took a deep breath, widened her eyes, and asked: "Great-Grandfather, what kind of trick is this? How did you perform it? Could you teach me, please?"

During the Republic of China era, there was a cousin of Mei Taigong named Mei Taineng, who was quite talented and favored by the elders. He was selected by the previous clan leader of the Mei family as a successor. However, after a period of instruction, it was discovered that Mei Taineng's character was not pure, and thus the teaching was discontinued. Instead, the slightly less talented Mei Taigong was chosen. Nevertheless, since Mei Taineng was still a child of the family, the elders could not bear to abandon his cultivation.

Master Mei asked him to add a cup and pour himself a drink as well. Mei Xi shook his head and said, "Master, I do not drink."

Fengmen studies the geography of the world, including mountains and rivers. The founder of Fengmen is said to be Guo Pu, which means that today's Feng Shui masters and Yin-Yang house and land experts are all practitioners of Fengmen

The Eight Great Schools of the Jianghu place the Door of Surprise at the forefront for good reason, as it studies the changes of the heavenly principles. Once one masters the Door of Surprise, the other seven schools of Jianghu arts can be understood through analogy, as the prediction of fortune and misfortune, as well as the changes of worldly affairs, is indeed the essence of the way of the world. Modern fortune tellers may lack this ability, but the skill of observing people remains a fundamental practice, and in summary, the arts of the Jianghu are fundamentally about discerning people's needs.

Master Mei said with his goat-like beard twitching: "When I say fall, you fall; do not ask so many questions"

Meixi had seen all kinds of tricks since childhood, but had never witnessed anything so magical! In fact, performing such techniques in magic shows is not difficult for those who practice it, but it requires various props. To an expert, it is merely clever, not magical. However, Meixi was well aware that the rice jar in his home was not a prop for tricks. He had just scooped rice from the jar to prepare a meal, and that net bag was something he usually used for catching shrimp, with nothing particularly special about it.

From this perspective, the Eight Major Schools of the Jianghu encompass a wide array of elements, discussing the methods and principles of human endeavors. The techniques of the Jianghu themselves are devoid of inherent good or evil; they are merely various means. However, the practitioners within the Jianghu are of mixed quality. In modern times, the Eight Major Schools of the Jianghu predominantly refer to mere tricks of the Jianghu, falling within the narrow definition of "walking the Jianghu".

The Tired Gate, second only to the Shock Gate, is one of the eight major gates in the martial world, holding significant importance as it studies the knowledge of the self. Strictly speaking, the ancestors of the Tired Gate are the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan and the Flame Emperor Shennong, who are also legendary ancestors of the Chinese nation. The classics of the Tired Gate are undoubtedly the "Huangdi Neijing" and the "Shennong Bencao Jing"

Master Mei Tai-gong reached out and gently patted the back of his head, letting out a slight sigh as he said: "Today, in front of you, I will perform a trick and would like to ask you a question: If your third uncle were to perform such a trick, would he be able to do it?"

Master Mei nodded and said: "Understanding a little is sufficient; the rest of the principles can be pondered over gradually. In fact, the arts of the rivers and lakes are not without merit; it depends on how you utilize them. Whether for good or evil lies within your own thoughts, and you will reap the consequences accordingly. The vastness of the rivers and lakes does not merely refer to performing arts on the streets; the world itself is a river and lake, and there is no need to categorize it into eight major sects."

Master Mei chuckled twice and said, "Although your aptitude and comprehension are commendable, the true nature of a person requires examination and experience. The Mei family is merely a small dye vat, while the world is the real large dye vat. Once you have ventured out into the world and gained some experience, I will teach you after you turn twenty. There are many things you must go through to earn others' trust."

Master Mei chuckled and said, "This is not a trick; this is magic, true magic!" The tone of his speech deliberately emphasized the words "true."

Meixi became interested: "I have mastered the skill of cracking a monkey whip, but my uncle's son still hasn't been able to learn it yet"

Jingmen is the foremost among the eight major schools of the Jianghu, primarily focused on the study of fortune and misfortune, guiding individuals through their uncertainties. Nowadays, those who practice fortune-telling and divination are considered part of the Jianghu of Jingmen. The founding figures of Jingmen are Fuxi and King Wen of Zhou. According to legend, Fuxi created the Eight Trigrams, while King Wen interpreted the Book of Changes. Additionally, another revered figure among Jianghu practitioners is Dongfang Shuo from the Han Dynasty, who is said to have set up a stall for divination in the city of Chang'an. If Jingmen has a classic text, it would be the Book of Changes.

The Fire School emphasizes various health preservation techniques. The founder of the Fire School is Ge Hong, also known as Ge Tian Shi. The classics include "Baopuzi" and "Cantong Qi". Therefore, alchemy, metallurgy, and sexual practices are all tricks of the practitioners of the Fire School.

Master Mei said: "Some things depend on temperament, talent, and insight; those who cannot learn will never learn in their lifetime, as they lack the innate ability. Sometimes, we can only remember the methods and principles, hoping to pass them on to the next generation so that the tradition does not die out. In fact, your technique for striking monkeys is far from complete; the secrets passed down from our ancestors are limited, and there is nothing we can do about it"

Meixi felt a tinge of joy, but also a hint of nervousness. After a moment, she asked, "Why me?"

Meixi did not dare to respond, thinking that while it was acceptable for his grandfather to praise him in private, if he were to interject himself, it would offend the young people of the village if it got out. Did Meixi want to learn his grandfather's magic? Of course he did; at this moment, he was merely a fifteen-year-old boy, and anyone in his position would feel the same. Meixi changed the subject and asked, "Grandfather, when do you plan to teach me?"

The Three Mountains and Five Peaks, the Five Lakes and Four Seas, from the highest halls of power to the bustling streets, all are referred to as the Jianghu. As the saying goes, wherever there are people, there is Jianghu. All methods of conduct in the human world can be termed Jianghu techniques, and there was once the saying of the Eight Great Schools. However, since the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, the so-called Jianghu techniques have degenerated into petty tricks used by wandering performers to earn a meager living. This represents a narrow understanding of Jianghu, and to this day, the Eight Great Schools of Jianghu discussed by people have become entirely limited in scope.

"What? Pouring sand into the rice jar?" Mei Xi could hardly believe her ears

Meixi blinked her eyes and thought for a long time: "I understand a little now"

Meixi looked up: "What are the Eight Great Sects of the Jianghu? What is it?"

Meixi's eyes lit up, but she soon weakly said: "But I..."

Master Mei said: "Studying the Way has many intricacies; merely having talent and insight is not sufficient. If one's character is not upright, it may lead to self-inflicted misfortune. Let me tell you a story..."

After Meixi brought the sand, the old man stood in front of the hall, waved his hand, and said: "Go to the kitchen and pour the sand into the rice jar"

Mei Taineng may abandon his studies halfway, but he possesses some genuine skills. He has a unique "special talent": if he takes a liking to a widow from the nearby villages, he has a way of making her come to his residence on the mountain at night, willingly seeking his affection. He lived a comfortable life, and the people around him both hated and feared him, knowing he had magical abilities yet dared not provoke him. Later, after liberation, Mei Taineng was conscripted by the People's Liberation Army for target practice. He lived a comfortable life, and the people around him both hated and feared him, knowing he had magical abilities yet dared not provoke him. Later, after liberation, Mei Taineng was conscripted by the People's Liberation Army for target practice

Meixi lowered her head: "I also know my own background, and of course I understand that everyone is a good person"

Using homemade bean paste, I added some chili and stir-fried a large plate of fragrant river shrimp. I also pulled up a few garlic sprouts from the yard to prepare a vegetarian dish. Everything was arranged on the Eight Immortals table in the main room, and I poured a glass of wine for Old Master Mei, while Mei Xi sat respectfully beside him, accompanying the elder for the meal

Master Mei held up his chopsticks and said: "Child, in a few days you will be going to the city for high school, which means you are considered an adult now, so let's have a drink... You must be quite curious about what happened earlier. Let me ask you another question: in your eyes, what kind of people are the relatives of the Mei family?"

Master Mei sighed, saying: "What is the point of practicing marksmanship? One ends up being a target, executed by the people's government." His expression was somewhat bitter, and his eyes squinted slightly, revealing a hint of desolation and a sense of coldness.

It was a hot day, and the old man was bare-chested, his lean skin slightly tanned and very healthy, without a single age spot. It was impossible for him to hide so many live shrimp on his body, and his movements were very slow. Mei Xi could see everything clearly and was momentarily dumbfounded, hardly believing her eyes. The old man, holding a bag of live shrimp, looked at Mei Xi and said with a smile: "What are you dazed about? Quickly wash the shrimp so we can cook and have some drinks."

Master Mei retorted, "Why can't it be you? You have already mastered the Monkey Whip technique, and even your third uncle has not perfected that final move. In terms of talent and comprehension, you are the best. Unfortunately, apart from you, there are no other exceptional talents among the younger generation of the Mei family; I have observed this for many years."

Meixi: "How can I make great-grandfather feel at ease?"

"Magic?" Mei Xi was a bit confused. Having seen many tricks since childhood, he certainly did not believe that there was any real magic.

Mei Xi, feeling helpless, could only brace herself and walk into the kitchen. She poured a bowl of damp river sand into the rice jar. Just as she had covered the jar, a hand reached out from behind and opened the lid again. Turning to the side, she saw that her grandfather had somehow appeared beside her, holding a net bag with a handle—one typically used for catching shrimp in shallow waters. With a smile, her grandfather said nothing, but inserted the net bag into the rice jar. When he lifted it, the rice grains and sand slipped through the mesh, but he pulled up a small half-bag full of lively river shrimp, each about two inches long.

The "Ce Men" emphasizes the study of ancient and modern scholarship. The founder of "Ce Men" is Sima Qian. To this day, those in the underworld who deal in counterfeit antiques, sell erotic art, and manage calligraphy and paintings all claim to be part of "Ce Men," including even tomb raiders.

The concept of "noble gates" emphasizes the way of governance. According to legend, the founder of the noble gates is Master Guigu, with the classics being "Guiguzi" and "Strategies of the Warring States." Master Guigu had two renowned disciples, Su Qin and Zhang Yi. The traditional noble gates primarily discuss the art of diplomacy and strategy. Since modern times, the tricks of buying and selling official positions, including scams conducted in the name of official institutions, are also considered part of the noble gates' practices.

Of course there is, how can one navigate the world without any genuine skills? However, most of it still relies on the art of deception to mislead others. Not to mention, the technique of monkey whip you learned from your third uncle is indeed a unique skill, and the intricacies of it might be something even your third uncle himself does not fully understand

Meixi furrowed her brows and asked, "Since great-grandfather understands so many principles, then why do uncle and the others ... ?"

Master Mei said: "Your third uncle and the others are merely performing tricks, while I am truly casting spells at this moment. However, to the eyes of outsiders, it all appears the same. Young man, have you come to understand something?"

The concept of "Tired Gate" emphasizes the path of practicing medicine to benefit the world. Here, practicing medicine encompasses not only itinerant healers but also resident doctors, and even ancient shamans, as long as they employ various methods to treat patients, they all fall under the category of Tired Gate. The revered ancestors of those within the Tired Gate are two figures: the Medical Sage Zhang Zhongjing and the Medicine King Sun Simiao. However, in contemporary discussions about the Tired Gate in the context of itinerant healers, most people are referring specifically to wandering doctors.

In ancient times, there were two principles among the people of the rivers and lakes: "Li" and "Jian", also known as "Shu" and "Dao". "Li" refers to the means, akin to business acumen, understanding human psychology to determine which methods can achieve one's goals; "Jian" refers to true skills, genuine mastery, and the pursuit of the greater path. For instance, in the practice of medicine, "Li" pertains to how to create illusions to deceive people, while "Jian" signifies the true cultivation of medical knowledge.

"That master named Mei Tai Neng possesses that particular skill, do you have it, Master?" Mei Xi could no longer hold back and quietly asked.

Upon hearing that it was the secret technique passed down through generations by the original patriarch of the Mei family, Mei Xi's expression dimmed somewhat. He lowered his head to pick at his food and did not respond. He had originally wanted to learn, but as he was merely an abandoned infant picked up from the village, he feared he was not qualified to learn the unique skills passed down by the patriarch. Mei Taigong certainly noticed his expression and, with a questioning tone, said: "Mei Xi, you seem quite disappointed. In fact, I intended to demonstrate the technique in front of you today to teach it to you."

Master Mei interrupted him, saying: "Although I do not know where you were born, you grew up in the Mei family and share the Mei surname, making us one family. I have observed you for a long time; your character is pure, and your talents are exceptional. Among the descendants of the Mei family, you are the most suitable to learn the ancestral spells of the Mei family. I do not expect you to achieve anything extraordinary; I only hope that you will continue to pass it on. I am getting old and should find a suitable successor."

Master Mei gazed at him with profound meaning: "Indeed, good people are truly good, but you are no longer a child; you understand that they are all con artists, don't you? ... ... Don't remain silent; I actually understand what you are thinking. Today, I specifically want to discuss the legends of the Eight Great Sects of the Jianghu with you."

He only spoke halfway before stopping. Master Mei glanced at him and said with a bitter smile: "They are merely villagers from a poor countryside, just learning some tricks to make a living. Can we expect them to govern the country? As long as you understand... The arts of the rivers and lakes should not be misused. The disciples of the Mei family have their own rules. For instance, your fourth aunt's family dealing in antiques is strictly forbidden from disturbing tombs or ancestral graves. Any forgeries and * illustrations * or artifacts must leave flaws as unique marks for true experts to identify... However, whether others in the world have such rules is beyond my concern."

The art of the "Yao Men" emphasizes the path of decline. The knowledge within this discipline is profound; how should one conduct oneself during times of misfortune and how to navigate through adversity? The founding figures of Yao Men are said to be Zhu Yuanzhang, with another claim attributing it to Liu Xiatuo, though the truth remains unverified. Since modern times, those who perform the lotus flower drop to beg for alms, those who rely on wealthy households for sustenance, those who feign as monks or nuns to deceive others, and even those who use narcotics to manipulate, can all be considered part of the Yao Men.

Mei Xi blinked and did not respond. The old man looked at him and smiled faintly: "You are still too young, and your knowledge of the world is limited. It is indeed too difficult for you to ask this question... Go and prepare a couple of dishes to accompany the old gentleman for a drink. I have something to say to you."

"Shooting practice? What are we shooting at? Is this for military training?" Mei Xi was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this.

Master Mei said: "The past martial arts of the rivers and lakes are divided into eight categories: Surprise, Fatigue, Drift, Register, Wind, Fire, Rank, and Essentials. The villagers of the Mei family can be considered as those who make a living in the rivers and lakes among these eight major categories. However, the true eight categories of the rivers and lakes are not limited to these; they encompass all the ways of the world. Sit tight and listen carefully as I explain..."

At this point, Master Mei took a sip of wine, set down his chopsticks, and asked, "Can you now answer the question about scooping shrimp from the rice jar?"

Meixi then asked: "Do they have real skills?"

Master Mei stroked his goat beard thoughtfully and said with a hint of satisfaction, "This spell has a resounding name, called—Divine Midnight Thunder! It is a secret technique passed down through generations by the original patriarch of the Mei family."

Mei Xi thought for a moment and replied: "Third Uncle's tricks are quite impressive, pulling a net full of shrimp out of the rice jar. If there was prior planning, there would be at least five or six methods. However, I cannot understand how you, Great Uncle, managed to do it"

In conducting affairs in the world, the terms "inside" and "sharp" must not be neglected; otherwise, even if you possess true skills, it is unlikely that anyone will acknowledge them. Throughout history, there have been many talented individuals who have gone unrecognized. As the saying goes, "sharp within is remarkable, while inside sharpness rivals that of a deity," which conveys this very principle. However, in modern times, many wandering practitioners and entertainers have focused more on deceitful tactics, often descending to the lowest ranks. In fact, the art of the wandering practitioner is a profound discipline; if one adeptly utilizes its principles, it is sufficient to navigate the world.

The "Piao Men" emphasizes the path of wandering and seeking knowledge. The founder of "Piao Men" is Confucius, the Sage of Confucianism, which may come as a surprise to many. To this day, those engaged in street performances, stage acts, and even fireworks entertainers and courtesans all claim to be part of "Piao Men".