Chapter 9: Re-entering Xiangyang

In fact, what Xiao Yuesheng speaks of is largely empty rhetoric. To master the Daoist arts, one must have already achieved inner alchemy and the convergence of the five energies. Only the legendary immortals of ancient and modern times are said to reach such a realm; it is impossible for anyone in the present age. His statements serve to belittle his own abilities, merely as a means of self-preservation. He is well-versed in human nature and understands that the greater one's abilities, the greater the danger.

Xiao Yuesheng also let out a sigh, realizing that the fall of the city to the Mongols was only a matter of time. Moreover, they were extremely ruthless towards their enemies; cities that did not surrender would inevitably face a massacre after being breached. At that time, how tragic it would be, a thought he could hardly bear to entertain

Xiao Yuesheng continued to speak to Huang Yaoshi: "There is no need for the Island Master to worry. Cultivating the Dao is a thousand times more difficult than practicing martial arts. The highest level of Daoist techniques can only be transmitted by a true practitioner of the lineage. Even in the most profound Daoist tradition, Zhengyi, the Celestial Masters of the lineage rarely acquire the highest level of Daoist techniques. I have cultivated in the deep mountains since childhood, blessed by heaven and encountering extraordinary opportunities, which has led to my current achievements. This is a result of divine providence, not something that can be attained by human effort"

Xiao Yue Sheng remained silent, lightly patting the stone table. With a resounding "boom," it sounded as if thunder had exploded beside him, and the stone table, a foot thick, was reduced to powder.

Guo Fu stepped into the room and said with a playful laugh, "I told you that Brother Xiao would definitely get up early. Brother Da Wu and Brother Xiao Wu didn't believe me. Brother Xiao, let's go out and have some fun!"

Having spoken, the figure flashed and disappeared without a trace

Xiao Yue Sheng let out a light laugh, brought the milk tea to his lips, took a sip, and forced himself to endure the discomfort. He gently set the bowl back on the table, not expecting the milk tea to be so unpleasant, which made him feel extremely unaccustomed.

Huang Yaoshi waved his hand and said, "It's fine, you all go out, go out, don't disturb us while we are talking"

Huang Yaoshi let out a low sigh and said, "I was mistaken; I did not expect the power of Daoist arts to be so formidable. If that is the case, then is the world not the realm of Daoists?"

The Wu brothers were handsome and distinguished, their appearance far surpassing his. Standing beside him, they appeared dim and insignificant. His deep, profound eyes and his imposing demeanor, even without anger, made the Wu brothers seem like immature children, shallow and inept. His fondness for the two diminished somewhat, while a hint of resentment towards Xiao Yuesheng arose. The thoughts of a young lady are truly difficult to comprehend

Since Guo Fu saw Xiao Yue Sheng yesterday, she has been feeling indignant. He is so young, yet he is held in such high regard by his parents. Looking at the Wu brothers who have been constantly surrounding her, she sighs inwardly

Xiao Yuansheng said: "My martial arts are quite ordinary; they were merely cultivated for the purpose of strengthening the body and maintaining health, not worthy of any prominence. However, my lightness skill is worth mentioning."

As I walked into a small courtyard, I found a grove of green bamboo growing against the western wall. To the east of the courtyard stood a small pavilion, furnished with a stone table and stone chairs. Sitting here, one could observe the green bamboo swaying in the wind, which indeed added a certain charm to the scene

Xiao Yuesheng smiled and said: "Your Highness must think that I am arrogant; then let me be arrogant for once. I would like to establish a gentleman's agreement with Your Highness."

As Xiao Yuesheng was speaking, he felt a sense of connection and glanced towards the corner, shook his head, and chose not to pay any further attention.

The two individuals remained silent, and the sound of the bamboo forest rustling clearly reached them, adding a touch of elegance to the atmosphere

Huang Yaoshi scoffed and said, "Taoist arts? Heh, those are merely tricks to deceive the common people, lacking any real power"

Guo Fu was pleased to hear that he wanted to witness her father's martial arts skills. In her heart, her father was indeed the best in the world. She usually took pride in being Miss Guo, and now, allowing this fellow to see her father's prowess was exactly what she wished for

Xiao Yue smiled faintly and said, "The island master Huang is being too demanding. They have been childhood sweethearts, spending all their time together, which is quite normal."

He said: "The Mongolian elite troops have already occupied half of the territory, and every city they attack falls without exception. Only in Xiangyang have they been unable to breach the defenses after a prolonged siege. On the day the city falls, their wrath will surely be directed at the common people. What kind of tragedy will that be? Has the great hero Guo ever considered this?"

Xiao Yuesheng noticed the hesitation on the prince's face and smiled, saying: "Your Highness, please do not rush to respond. I will return tomorrow evening at this time to await your message. I apologize for any offense caused and hope for your understanding. Oh, before we part, I must express a thought that has been on my mind. Although the guards outside your tent are indeed among the bravest warriors in the army, they are hardly noteworthy in the eyes of the martial world. Your Highness should exercise caution in your selection. That is all I have to say. Farewell!"

Xiao Yuesheng continued, "I propose a gentleman's agreement: Your Highness must agree to refrain from wantonly killing the common people, and in return, I can train the guards around you into skilled fighters to ensure Your Highness's absolute safety. I wonder if Your Highness has any objections"

Xiao Yuesheng sat beside him and said, "Guo Daxia, you have led troops into battle and are well-versed in military affairs. In your opinion, can Xiangyang be defended or not?"

Xiao Yuesheng glanced at her, then looked at the Wu brothers. Since they entered the room, they appeared quite awkward, their bodies stiff and very uncomfortable. He smiled at the two of them and said: "You are both disciples of the great hero Guo, undoubtedly esteemed masters and accomplished students. My martial arts are rather ordinary, and I do not dare to boast. Moreover, both of you young heroes come from a profound family background, which I greatly admire."

Guo Fu walked ahead and, upon reaching the front of the courtyard, called out sweetly: "Grandfather, have you gotten up?"

Looking at Huang Yaoshi, who wore a contemplative expression, he stood up with his hands clasped behind his back and gazed into the distance. A faint voice emerged: "In this world, when people think of instruments of murder, they immediately associate them with swords and martial arts, but this is a great misconception"

This person is Xiao Yuesheng. He smiled slightly and said, "I am Xiao Yuesheng. I have heard that Prince Kublai of Mongolia is wise and courageous, with unparalleled talent, and I have come specifically to meet him"

The two individuals were busy clasping their hands, their faces flushed, no longer displaying their usual sharp tongues. They had witnessed Xiao Yuesheng's martial arts skills firsthand, and naturally understood that his humble words carried a sense of refusal. However, in front of Xiao Yuesheng, they were intimidated by his authority, feeling hesitant and cautious, their normally agile minds unable to function, displaying extreme timidity. Guo Fu, watching from the side, felt greatly disheartened.

The Jingjing Pavilion is located to the west of the Guo residence, with a few adjacent rooms separated by flowers and plants, simple yet elegant, and the layout is quite refined. Xiao Yue Sheng speculated that it must have been arranged by Huang Rong, as Guo Jing would never have been capable of such a task

Kublai Khan is somewhat amusing; the massacre of the populace is not merely a means of intimidation, but rather a necessity. The Mongolian cavalry is unparalleled, yet their numbers are ultimately too few. Even if the Song people are weak, their large numbers still pose a threat. Although the slaughter of civilians is brutal, it remains the most effective means of control

Huang Yaoshi, however, did not let it go and asked, "Is it possible that Brother Xiao is well-versed in the arts of Dao?"

Suddenly, without wind, the door opened, and Xiao Yue Sheng was sitting cross-legged on the couch, wearing a faint smile as he looked at them

Seeing Huang Yaoshi about to speak, he raised his hand to stop him and smiled, saying: "I know that the Island Master Huang is going to say that I am too modest, but little does he know that this is truly my heartfelt opinion"

Huang Yaoshi has a proud and aloof personality, making it exceedingly difficult for him to admit when he is wrong. Even when he knows he is at fault, he will not acknowledge it.

Huang Yaoshi sighed and said: "I never expected that Brother Xiao would find himself in such circumstances. From whom did Brother Xiao inherit his martial arts?"

Guo Jing let out a deep sigh, shaking his head in sorrow, and said: "I now only hope for winter to arrive soon; at that time, the Mongolian supplies will be difficult to sustain, and they will have no choice but to retreat"

Kublai Khan sat steadily beside the table, gently picked up a bowl of milk tea, and asked, "Oh? I wonder what agreement this is?"

Guo Jing, busy with his tasks, urged him to sit down, sighed, and said: "Indeed, the Mongolian elite troops are strong in combat, while our Song soldiers have always been weak, which is truly concerning"

Huang Rong tugged at his collar, signaling that there was no need to say more. Guo Jing, feeling helpless, could only clasp his hands in farewell. Guo Fu and the Wu brothers were also present. She noticed Xiao Yuesheng standing behind her grandfather with his hands clasped, wearing a smile as if he were looking at her. Feeling a rush of embarrassment, she was soon filled with anger, following her parents out with resentment. As they reached the corner, she couldn't help but glance back, only to see that Xiao Yuesheng had turned around and was speaking with her grandfather. Unable to suppress a snort, she turned away and disappeared around the corner.

The sound of a clear voice came from inside the house and the library: "Fe'er, why have you come here so early?"

Xiao Yuesheng sighed, stood up, and left the garden. His heart was extremely heavy; although he felt no sense of belonging to the Southern Song dynasty, witnessing the brutal slaughter of the Han people left him with an unpleasant feeling. He was filled with thoughts of salvation and suddenly harbored a desire to kill Kublai Khan.

Huang Yaoshi rose and said: "Why did Wang Chongyang not use his Daoist techniques during the sword debate at Mount Hua? Instead, he only employed martial arts?"

Xiao Yuesheng did not expect him to be so stubborn, and not wanting to continue the argument, he smiled and remained silent

Arriving at the quiet retreat where Xiao Yuesheng was resting, Guo Fu turned her head and shot a fierce glare at the two with her bright eyes. She then gently knocked on the door and called out sweetly, "Brother Xiao, are you there?"

Xiao Yuesheng looked at the green bamboo swaying in the wind and said softly, "In fact, my martial arts are not exceptional."

Guo Fu said: "My father is practicing in the back garden."

Xiao Yuesheng looked at him, smiled, and said: "It is Taoist magic. In terms of power, martial arts are vastly inferior to Taoist magic."

He came to the courtyard and saw Xiao Yuesheng standing there, with a cold expression he said: "Brother Xiao, you have arrived"

Kublai Khan felt a sense of despair. He had intended to raise his cup as a signal to summon the warriors, but unexpectedly, this person possessed such remarkable skills that he silently incapacitated all of his guards. Even though he did not understand martial arts, he still recognized the exceptional prowess of this technique.

Huang Yaoshi was deeply convinced by his words; it was only reasonable. A person as extraordinary as Xiao Yuesheng, he had never even heard of, which was truly hard to believe

Xiao Yue Sheng observed his expression and understood that he was thinking of his deeply devoted wife. She couldn't help but feel a great sense of sympathy for him. However, since her passing had occurred a long time ago, it was likely that there was no hope of revival, which made her feel quite regretful.

Xiao Yuesheng glanced at Guo Jing and the others who had hurried over upon hearing the sound, and fell silent.

Huang Yaoshi's expression softened slightly as he said, "Brother Xiao, what brings you here? Why is the young lady who was with you not by your side?"

Xiao Yuansheng shook his head and waved his hands, saying: "The island master is mistaken. The Daoist tradition has been passed down for a hundred years; how can it be dismissed with a mere incantation? There are countless wise individuals in the world, and if Daoist practices were merely empty words, how could Daoism flourish to such an extent"

Xiao Yue Sheng said to Guo Fu, who had a look of slight anger on her face: "Miss Guo, where is your father?"

Suddenly, a voice was heard saying: "But what about His Highness Prince Kublai?"

Huang Yaoshi was just about to listen to him continue, but upon seeing his expression, he understood that he did not want others to hear. He stood up and said loudly, "Jing'er, Rong'er, you may go out; there is no need to make a fuss."

Huang Yaoshi snorted again and said, "These two brats, always revolving around women, are so unambitious!"

He stepped forward and said: "Guo Daxia, what troubles you? Is it related to the defense of Xiangyang in the books?"

He calmly asked, "It is indeed Xiao Wang, may I ask who you are, sir?" He secretly pondered to himself that his main tent was guarded by elite Mongolian warriors. Although it could not be called a den of dragons and tigers, it was quite similar. This person was able to enter the main tent without anyone noticing, a skill he had never witnessed before, and he dared not act recklessly.

With a sweeping motion of his large sleeves, a gentle breeze blew away the stone powder, leaving only the bare base column standing upright there

Guo Fu, seeing that he did not respond, quickly said: "Elder Brother Da Wu and Younger Brother Xiao Wu praise your martial arts skills and would like to seek your guidance. Brother Xiao, please give us some pointers."

Huang Yaoshi was a person of deep emotions. Upon hearing these words, he let out a light laugh, but soon thought of his wife, and his heart sank.

Xiao Yue Sheng had the intention to refuse, while Guo Fu still possessed the heart of a child, constantly thinking about play. He felt that there was a generational gap between her and the Wu brothers, an invisible barrier that lay between them. Perhaps this is what is known as a generation gap

Only one person was seen standing in the tent with hands clasped behind his back, wearing a smile on his face

The Wu brothers were struck with fear under Huang Yaoshi's cold gaze, trembling and unable to speak. Guo Fu pouted her slightly upturned lips and said in a delicate voice: "Grandfather, we were just looking for Brother Xiao to practice martial arts together."

Huang Yaoshi sat upright on the stone bench and asked, "Oh? What do you think—?"

Kublai Khan was taken aback, looked up, and was greatly alarmed in his heart, yet his face remained as calm as ever

Guo Jing and the others were already standing at the door. He said, "Father-in-law, what has happened? I just heard a loud noise and do not know the reason for it"

Xiao Yue Sheng rose from his bed and said with a smile: "I have great admiration for your father's martial arts. It would be a pleasure to witness them firsthand. Miss Guo, I would appreciate your guidance in leading the way."

Huang Yaoshi snorted and said, "You all go practice your skills first; I have matters to discuss with him. If you only think about playing all day, how can you improve your martial arts? Hurry up and practice!" He pointed at Xiao Yuesheng and coldly added, with a hint of sternness in his tone.

Xiao Yuansheng walked to the small pavilion, sat down on the stone bench, and, patting the one-foot-thick stone table, said with a smile: "She has become my wife and has not come out of the house."

Xiao Yuansheng cupped his hands and said with a calm smile, "Master Huang, how have you been lately?"

Huang Yaoshi nodded; he had heard his daughter mention that Xiao Yuesheng's lightness skill was truly mysterious and elusive, beyond comprehension

Guo Fu pushed open the door and walked inside, saying: "Grandfather, Brother Xiao has also come. He wants to watch Father practice martial arts. Would you like to go with us?"

The Wu brothers hurriedly clasped their hands in salute to Huang Yaoshi and quickly followed him out

A flash of divine light appeared in Xiao Yuesheng's eyes, and a murderous intent arose. He lightly raised his left hand, but suddenly felt a change in his heart, shifting his thoughts and retracting the killing intent. With a slight smile, the milk tea in Kublai Khan's hand broke free and flew towards Xiao Yuesheng, not a single drop spilled, and he caught it steadily. He said, "Thank you for the milk tea, Your Highness. There is no need for Your Highness to worry; the guards outside the tent have already dozed off and will not wake up for the time being"

Huang Yaoshi glanced at the others, frowned, and said: "Very well, thank you for your concern. Fu'er, instead of practicing diligently with these two boys, you are running around everywhere. Doesn't your mother take care of you!"

He steadied himself and said: "I will take your Highness's head as easily as one would take something from a bag. I trust your Highness no longer doubts this, and your Highness taking the heads of the common people is no different." At this point, he paused and glanced at Kublai Khan, noticing that he did not display any signs of anger, and he nodded inwardly.

Huang Yaoshi, after a long moment of introspection, suddenly asked: "Brother Xiao, I have always been curious. You are so young, yet your martial arts skills are so remarkable that it is truly hard to believe"

On the morning of the second day, he was practicing his breathing techniques. Just as he was reaching a state of deep concentration, he suddenly sensed someone approaching. He calmly regulated his breath and, with a focused awareness, realized it was Miss Guo, with the Wu brothers trailing behind her in a rather reluctant manner.

Guo Jing's expression grew even more despondent, lost in thought.

On this day, after Xiao Yue Sheng finished his breakfast, he took a stroll in the back garden and saw Guo Jing sitting in front of the already wilted flowers, frowning in deep thought

Huang Yaoshi wore a blue robe, without a mask, revealing his well-groomed and handsome face, which must have made him a striking young man in his youth

On that night, in the Mongolian yurt, six butter lamps were placed around, illuminating the tent as brightly as daylight. Kublai Khan was holding a scroll, engrossed in reading.

He was lost in thought, not knowing what was on his mind. Xiao Yue Sheng was also deep in contemplation. In the previous era, he had read through the Daoist scriptures, which was an astonishing feat. Since the establishment of the scriptures, almost no one has been able to read them all due to their vastness. Had it not been for his innate spiritual powers at that time, it would have been impossible to accomplish. However, many of the texts have been lost over time. Now, arriving at this point presents a rare opportunity to rediscover those lost Daoist texts, filling his heart with great excitement

This statement was rather presumptuous, causing Kublai Khan to feel quite uncomfortable, and he slightly furrowed his brow

Xiao Yuesheng glanced at the somewhat dazed Huang Yaoshi and said with a smile: "What I just used was the Palm Thunder, which is a minor technique within the art of thunder. As for its power, I invite the island master to evaluate it."

In the days to come, the two often gathered together to drink heartily. Although Guo Fu was bold, she felt a deep-seated fear of her grandfather and did not dare to disturb him. Huang Yaoshi was well-versed in knowledge, and Xiao Yuesheng had profound insights; their conversations often evoked a sense of mutual understanding. During their leisure time, they jointly studied the art of the Five Elements, both benefiting greatly from it

Guo Fu pouted, her eyes slightly red and glistening like autumn waters, and in her anger, she turned and ran out.