Chapter 003: The Jianghu and the Imperial Court

I was just thinking, perhaps I could stir up this era

Mirror Heart Awareness

Wang Yangming said: "I have not specifically learned any techniques, but during my time at Shengguo Temple, where I sought refuge from calamity, I observed the martial monks practicing for several days. I realized that these techniques are merely variations of the human form, the trajectories of fists and feet, and the differences in steps and postures. By understanding these, if one can also penetrate the opponent's intentions, one can naturally defeat the enemy with a single strike"

Xu Lang looked at the Taoist priest, observing his white hair and youthful appearance, as well as his distinguished demeanor. He thought that this individual, who had slightly influenced Wang Yangming, could endow Wang Yangming with such abilities, and promptly bowed in respect

Xu Lang gazed at the surging waves and remarked: "The court has always been lagging behind; only when there are significant changes among the people, and especially after such events occur, does the court become aware and make adjustments. Therefore, as long as the populace stirs, the court will follow suit."

... ...

Xu Lang's mindset was somewhat unbalanced as he looked at Wang Yangming and asked, "What martial arts are you studying?"

What happened

Your martial arts skills are so impressive, why not go to Yuyao and take a look?

Where is the Jianghu

The Qiantang River flows southward with great vigor

Wang Yangming clasped his hands in salute, overwhelmed with joy, and, holding Xu Lang's hand, introduced, "Little brother, this is the Daoist I mentioned to you, whom I encountered in the Wanshou Palace."

Therefore, what is most important for a person in the world is to have a sense of conscience

Currently, 1.2 taels of silver is equivalent to 700 wen. Xu Lang calculated that he currently has 1.5 taels of silver, which amounts to 1,050 wen. With such a small amount of money, can he still afford to give away 2 wen?

"A chance encounter, it need not be so."

Wang Yangming sighed and said

It seems that not long after Wang Yangming was demoted, Liu Jin was brought down by others, which is entirely akin to a sinking ship

Wang Yangming inquired about the Dao

Wang Yangming did not elaborate much on this issue, and looking at Xu Lang, he said: "Everything in the rivers and lakes is closely related to the court, intertwined with each other"

In fact, it is also easy

Wang Yangming stated

... ...

Wang Yangming paid for the boat fare and disembarked together with Xu Lang

I was just thinking about my grandmother in Yuyao

It all depends on the guidance provided by Master Xu on that day

Wang Yangming shook his head and said, "My martial arts skills are not very good; I have only learned them roughly for about three to four months. My skills in boxing and kicking are just beginning to be practiced. If I rashly return to Yuyao, I fear it will bring great misfortune to my family"

This eminent scholar of the mind, although not currently attaining enlightenment at Longchang, has nonetheless gained considerable insights. If these were to be shared with any Confucian scholar in the world, that scholar would undoubtedly bow their head and listen attentively beside Wang Yangming. However, this is being conveyed to Xu Lang...

The Daoist looked at Wang Yangming, his face also showing signs of joy. After sizing him up from head to toe, he said: "Times have changed, and the cultivation of benevolence has now also led to the development of remarkable skills."

Xu Lang inquired

Wang Yangming gazed at the surging waters of the Qiantang River, contemplating various matters concerning his homeland and country. Ultimately, he sighed in resignation and said: "It is just that the Ming Dynasty is difficult to change easily"

Of course not

Upon careful calculation, even if he were to cheat, after three to four months, he would only manage to raise his basic swordsmanship and foundational stance to level 100. With such abilities, it would be far from sufficient to contend with a figure like Li Liushen, whereas Wang Yangming was able to defeat someone in a single move

The true master of compassion, Xu Lang is a novice in the realm of martial arts, and I hope that the master can lend me a helping hand

Oh, it is Shouren

Xu Lang felt a bitter pang in his heart upon hearing this. The person Wang Yangming cared about could still be found in this world, but what about the person he cared about?

Rest assured, my suggestion to seek refuge with Liu Jin is merely a matter of expediency

Xu Lang laughed heartily

Mirror Heart Awareness ... ... this name is indeed fitting

Xu Lang felt somewhat numb and asked, "Does this internal energy have a name?"

Xu Lang said

Wang Yangming turned around and said with concern, "She is already eighty-eight years old; I wonder how her health is."

Xu Lang asked: "What is the background?"

Xu Lang nodded upon hearing this, deeply in agreement with it

Wang Yangming gazed at Xu Lang

The Sun and Moon Holy Cult... it is an alternative

The Jianghu is a place unbound by the constraints of the court and unregulated by the law, the Jianghu is freedom

What about the Sun and Moon Sect

Xu Lang said irritably

Xu Lang was astonished

Xu Lang nodded, but in his heart, he was contemplating how to find a reason to part ways with Wang Yangming. However, due to his own great treasure, it was likely that Wang Yangming would not easily let him go before changing his own thoughts.

Wang Yangming, upon hearing this, merely shook his head and said: "The rivers and lakes and the court have always been interconnected. Although I do not know much about the affairs of the rivers and lakes, I am aware that currently in the rivers and lakes, Zuo Lengchan of the Five Mountains Sword Sect is closely allied with Liu Jin. It is precisely because Liu Jin holds power in the court that Zuo Lengchan's reputation in the rivers and lakes has been rising."

Xu Lang solemnly bowed and spoke

The vessel, while in motion, has unknowingly arrived at the territory of Fujian

This brings about another realization

Wang Yangming looked at the Taoist in front of him and exclaimed in surprise

Liu Jin, within the imperial court, is the malignant tumor of the Ming Dynasty

Xu Lang nodded heavily, stating that the treasures of seals and swords from the Zhang Tianshi lineage were all bestowed by the Supreme Laozi, but they were lost when Zhang Tianshi fled, and modern science has no means to verify this

However, the amnesty granted to the Zhang Tianshi lineage during the Ming Dynasty is similar to that granted to the Yansheng Gong lineage, primarily due to their status

Do not head into the city, let us find a mountain temple

Indeed

On the day before my wedding, I wandered around aimlessly and inadvertently arrived at the Wanshou Palace

Xu Lang said: "My heart is in the rivers and lakes, not in the court."

Xu Lang nodded slightly, then, in surprise, asked: "Have you only been studying for three or four months?"

Xu Lang only felt that he was noisy

Master Xu!

Technique

Xu Lang leaned against the side of the boat, his eyes fixed on the rushing river. He felt that even though his swimming skills were quite good, jumping into such turbulent waters would likely lead to dire consequences. However, he was reassured by the fact that after spending time together recently, he regarded Wang Yangming as a man of integrity, and thus felt no fear for his life while on the boat.

What do you want to do by asking this question

Xu Lang decisively provided this answer to Wang Yangming

An old beggar approached Xu Lang, holding a bowl of rice

Wang Yangming pondered for a moment and said: "The heart is like a clear mirror; when the heart is bright, it naturally reflects everything... However, if one merely shines light without purpose, it is of no benefit to others. Only by illuminating with a sincere heart can one cleanse the impurities of the world and remedy the deficiencies of society"

Sir, please show some kindness and give me two copper coins

He is a traitor appointed by Liu Jin, and there are too many people in the world who wish to kill him, which compelled Wang Yangming to act with caution

Xu Lang laughed heartily and said, "It was only after thinking about the treasure that I suddenly realized that in recent days, my thoughts had been led astray. I had always believed that I was broke, but after careful consideration, I discovered that there is gold everywhere in this world, and I foolishly failed to see it... In the court, what is the highest rank of the official positions granted to the people of the martial world?"

Wang Yangming sincerely stated

Wang Yangming looked at Xu Lang, with a pointed meaning, and said: "The innate knowledge is the good nature within your heart..."

What about your techniques

Wang Yangming leaned against the cabin and spoke to Xu Lang about the past, saying: "In the Wanshou Palace, there was an old Daoist priest with the surname Xu. I had some leisure time and chatted with him. As we talked more, we eventually discussed health preservation in depth. Later, I was sent to prison by Liu Jin. While in prison, I reflected on the past and combined those insights with the teachings of Confucian sages, making some modifications, which allowed me to cultivate this inner strength."

A Taoist approached and said, "Our Taoist sect is dedicated to helping others; if he does not give to you, I will." As he spoke, he took out two coins and placed them in the beggar's bowl, waving his hand to signal the beggar to leave.

In the imperial court, the civil official Yang Yiqing, a member of the clear stream, had served in Shaanxi for eight years. He shared a close friendship with Yue Buqun of the Huashan Sect, one of the Five Great Sword Sects. Similarly, the Wudang Mountain and Shaolin Temple sects maintained a profound relationship with the three high-ranking officials and the True Man of Zhengyi. It is precisely because of the presence of such figures in the court that they are able to wield swords and engage in extortion of escort agencies in the civilian world, conducting some borderline businesses and living off their own territories.

Hahahahahaha

Xu Lang originally intended to speak up and ask for something, but Wang Yangming preemptively mentioned the drawbacks of martial arts, which effectively silenced Xu Lang's words

The lineage of Zhang Tianshi

In fact, the Ming Dynasty suffered from numerous ailments

Wang Yangming sought to verify the Dao

Xu Lang smiled and said, "The most obvious symptom is that over the years, the Ming Dynasty has gradually begun to age."

The lifespan of a feudal dynasty generally does not exceed three hundred years. The Ming Dynasty has been established for a long time, and the Battle of Tumu Fortress had already delivered the first wave of developmental dividends to the Ming Dynasty. After many years of adjustment, this is a prosperous time for the Ming Dynasty, yet it is also when the mechanisms of the Ming Dynasty are gradually becoming rigid.

This is indeed something that Xu Lang is unaware of

Wang Yangming shook his head and smiled, saying: "This internal skill is merely in its infancy, and there are many aspects that I have yet to comprehend. Therefore, it does not have a name. Moreover, my knowledge of martial arts is limited, and I do not know what is right or wrong in martial arts. I dare not spread it recklessly, fearing that it may harm others."

Do you want to rebel

Wang Yangming gazed at the surging river and suddenly sighed

Xu Lang's leaps in thought left Wang Yangming perplexed, yet he remarked: "He is the True One of Longhu Mountain, of the second rank."

In the realm of Jin's martial arts, internal strength has always been of paramount importance. Characters such as Shi Potian, Duan Yu, Zhang Wuji, and Xu Zhu are typically equipped with a set of top-tier internal cultivation techniques and a series of exquisite martial arts moves, which enable them to achieve fame and success.

Xu Zhenren reached out to stop Xu Lang

The court is the very center of the Ming Dynasty; if the court is unwell, the Ming Dynasty will not thrive

No money

However, before stirring up this era, Xu Lang needs to first develop for a while, acquire the Golden Snake Secret Technique, obtain the treasures of Jianwen, and then make a significant supplement. Only after gaining the ability to protect himself can he stir the world.

Xu Lang turned his head to look over

Sigh