Chapter 1: Learning Martial Arts at Mount Huashan

As Yue entered the courtyard, many children poked their heads out from the rooms to observe. Ning Zhong then playfully scolded, "A bunch of little rascals, come out quickly and see the new disciples that the master has taken in." As soon as the words were spoken, five of them ran out, the oldest being around fifteen or sixteen, and the youngest being close to my age. Another man, around forty years old, also walked out from another room, though his hair already showed some signs of gray.

Ning Zhong then saw Yue Po still stubbornly gripping the hand and pulling, and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Consider this a victory for you; there's no need to pull anymore, it can't be taken off." Yue Po awkwardly stepped aside, thinking to himself: Is this really a victory? It's like teasing a child. However, Ning Zhong was genuinely pleased and said, "You are able to integrate various techniques into one, without being bound by a single style; this is truly rare. It's a pity your internal strength is a bit lacking; otherwise, Master’s arm would have really been dislocated by you." Yue Po replied, "Master, do you really think so? Is there any secret manual of internal skills from the school that I could study?" Ning Zhong, however, was genuinely pleased and said, "You are able to integrate various techniques into one, without being bound by a single style; this is truly rare. It's a pity your internal strength is a bit lacking; otherwise, Master’s arm would have really been dislocated by you." Yue Po replied, "Master, do you really think so? Is there any secret manual of internal skills from the school that I could study?"

With the arrival of the three letters and one message, Yue Po was overwhelmed with work. He initially intended to skip lunch, but was pulled down by Ning Zhongze, who tugged at his ear, forcing him to relent. Thus, he began practicing the Zixia skill at night and training in martial arts and finger techniques during the day. Yue Buqun, upon hearing his wife's description, found it hard to believe. After secretly observing for two days, he couldn't help but sigh, "Such diligent individuals are rare in the world, what a pity." He then considered increasing the training workload for the outer courtyard disciples, but was met with strong opposition led by Yue Ling Shan, which ultimately led to the matter being dropped.

Mount Huashan is a renowned perilous mountain among the Five Great Mountains. The East Peak is known as Chaoyang, the West Peak as Lianhua, the South Peak as Luoyan, and the North Peak as Yuntai, with the relatively lower Middle Peak called Yunu. The separate courtyard is situated halfway up Yunu Peak, built precariously on the mountainside. Four or five large houses with pink walls are constructed at varying heights along the slope. The mountain terrain is steep, the trees are serene, the birds chirp melodiously, and the water flows gently, making it a truly wonderful place.

The great skill lies hidden in the depths of the fist, appearing clumsy yet possessing subtle techniques within each strike. There are a total of thirty-six offensive moves and eighteen defensive moves, intricately interconnected, yet they can also be randomly combined harmoniously. It is unknown which predecessor left this behind, as no one at Mount Hua practices this fist technique, leading to its abandonment.

Yue Po felt even more pity and said, "Master has his difficulties; I do not seek anything. I was born disabled and cannot learn swordsmanship, so I shall accept my fate and learn some martial arts to deal with the local ruffians." Ning Zhongze, upon hearing this, could not bear it and said, "As disciples of Mount Hua, we should uphold justice and righteousness; how can we only teach a lesson to petty ruffians? Very well, I will quietly pass on some teachings to you, but you must not let the sect leader know about this matter." Yue Po happily agreed repeatedly. After Ning Zhongze finished speaking, he felt regret, but seeing the child's joy, he could not think too much about it. He then recited the formula to Yue Po. Yue Po was naturally clever; after hearing it twice, he grasped it quite well, and after the third time, he memorized it firmly in his heart. After Ning Zhongze finished speaking, he felt regret again, but seeing the child so happy, he could not think too much about it. He then recited the formula to Yue Po. Yue Po was naturally clever; after hearing it twice, he grasped it quite well, and after the third time, he memorized it firmly in his heart.

Yue Po nodded and struck a pose, while Ning Zhong looked on with a hint of surprise. The stance was stable, and it seemed that the outer courtyard disciples might truly struggle to match him. Seeing that his master did not move, Yue Po knew he could attack without hesitation and declared, "Master, your disciple is coming." He launched a palm strike with considerable momentum. Ning Zhong observed with some approval, yet did not take it seriously. He slightly turned and deftly hooked Yue Po's right foot. The hook did not move, and Yue Po silently called out in alarm, channeling his energy in his lower abdomen to try to counter this move.

However, unexpectedly, Yue Po broke his hands and feet and moved. Not only did he strike the lower abdomen with his hands, but his left foot also kicked against Ning Zhongze's ankle. Ning Zhongze was greatly surprised; this child was able to integrate leg techniques with waist movements, using the strength of his waist to be agile both up and down. He no longer took a light step back, yet saw that Yue Po did not advance either. His right foot kicked at a forty-five-degree angle towards the head, aiming directly at... Ning Zhongze understood that the attack was aimed at the head, but due to his short stature, it was not intentional to use such a lowly technique. He reached out to grab the attacking leg, but saw Yue Po's left foot kicking towards his head like a leaping fish, which Ning Zhongze had never anticipated. With a casual push of his left hand, Yue Po's left foot swept across his face. As he landed, Yue Po locked both hands around Ning Zhongze's arm, but despite pushing and pulling, he could not disengage the arm.

The initial manifestation of the Purple Cloud Skill is subtle and elusive, resembling the soft and flowing nature of clouds at dusk. However, it possesses an immense and resilient power. As one progresses, it becomes overwhelming and unstoppable. Upon entering, there are three levels: the first level cultivates a long-lasting internal force, the second level inflicts invisible harm upon the enemy, and the third level reveals a purple aura on the face, exuding an extraordinary dominance.

Ning Zhongze smiled and said, "That is naturally available, but it cannot be easily imparted to you." Yue Po asked, "What conditions are required?" Ning Zhongze replied, "You, as the sect leader, only began practicing ten years ago. You must at least wait until you have mastered the Huashan heart method, which I believe will take another ten years." Yue Po protested, "Disciple knows that internal strength becomes purer with practice. Master, why not let me practice first? Recently, the Huashan heart method has shown diminishing returns." The Huashan disciples originally had little internal strength; although they belonged to the Qi sect, their progress was slow. Ning Zhongze, being a swordsman himself, had only briefly reviewed the boxing techniques for the sake of his disciple. He understood that having a sword without Qi could still provide self-defense, but having boxing without Qi was ineffective. However, the Zixia Divine Skill was the treasure of the sect, and his senior brother could never agree to let him practice it. Thus, both sides found themselves in a difficult position.

Cloud fingers are a basic finger technique primarily used to strengthen finger strength. Once mastered, it allows for the release of energy between the fingers and the ability to strike points in mid-air, which naturally requires profound and substantial internal power.

The Huashan School emphasizes the mastery of qi before learning swordsmanship. Yue Po, being inherently intelligent, made significant progress in foundational mental techniques within just six months. Ning Zhong observed this with great pleasure and began to teach him direct punches, soft palms, grappling techniques, sweeping leaf kicks, lightness skills, and acupoint striking knowledge, as well as formally imparting the Huashan mental techniques. One of Yue Po's notable strengths is his tenacity; whenever something occurs, he learns with utmost seriousness. He now feels a surge of heat within him, and his enthusiasm has multiplied, leading to even greater diligence. While others complete two hours of practice, he dedicates eight hours. Due to his focus on sword and fist techniques, he practices alone in the back mountains, which does not surprise others. Yue Buqun believes that there is little achievement in unarmed combat, and his only joy comes from Ning Zhong. However, seeing Ning's hands and feet often bruised and bleeding causes him pain. A talented martial artist who is so hardworking yet struggles to learn swordsmanship brings tears to his eyes.

Ning Zhongze gently patted the head of a child around fourteen or fifteen years old and said, "This is your senior brother, Linghu Chong." Yue Po listened carefully and observed; the child did not appear much different from others, but there was a certain spirit in his eyes that would immediately suggest intelligence in the eyes of someone from the previous era. The slightly gray-haired one was the second senior brother, named Lao Denuo, who had come to learn the art. There was also the third senior brother, Liang Fa, the fourth senior brother, Shi Daizi, the fifth senior brother, Gao Genming, and the sixth senior brother, Lu Dayou. Yue Buqun came out of the inner courtyard holding a lovely little girl and said, "This is your master's beloved daughter, named Yue Ling Shan. She should be considered your junior sister, but since you have entered the Ning family boxing school, being half a year older than you, you can call her senior sister in the future." Ning Zhongze, however, teased her husband, saying, "Good! Yue Po, you will be my Ning family boxing school's eldest disciple, surpassing all his disciples and avenging your master." Yue Po replied, "Yes, Master," but in his heart, he knew that Yue Ling Shan had secretly loved Linghu Chong for many years, unfortunately, it was unrequited love. Ning Zhongze took Yue Po to the inner courtyard to meet six senior sisters, all around ten years old, named Mei Jian, Lan Jian, Zhu Jian, Ju Jian, Si Jian, and Cheng Jian.

Two and a half years have passed, and Yue has turned eight. His hands and feet have healed, forming a thin layer of callus. His mastery of the Huashan heart technique and lightness skill has also reached a certain level. He does not go out to live with the disciples of the outer courtyard, but instead has set up a small shelter on a small platform beneath the Yunu Peak, where he spends all his time except during meals.

Ning Zhongze helped Yue Po bandage the wound on his hand and said, "Po'er, your hands and feet are now robust, and you have indeed suffered fewer injuries. What is the purpose of your diligence?" Ning Zhongze intended to impart the right path and cleanse one's thoughts. Yue Po, taken aback, replied, "Practicing martial arts naturally requires diligence; I am delighted to learn things that interest me." Ning Zhongze then asked, "Do you not feel the hardship?" Yue Po thought to himself: whether it is hard or not depends on the Long March of 25,000 li. Moreover, he did not feel any hardship; it was just a minor scrape. After all, wasn't he always coming home with scars as a child? However, he could not say this. Instead, he smiled and said, "With such a beautiful master, how could it be hard?" Ning Zhongze laughed playfully and said, "You are indeed a smooth talker like Chong'er. Today, I shall assess your martial skills; come at me with all your might."

That evening, the ceremony of apprenticeship was held. Everyone gathered in the back hall, where a plaque inscribed with "Using Qi to Control the Sword" hung above. The walls were adorned with ancient swords. Ning Zhongze looked at the plaque with a bitter smile, thinking: The child is pitiful and it is difficult for him to learn swordsmanship, yet this plaque is prominently displayed. At that moment, he led Yue Po to kneel and said, "Disciple Ning Zhongze accepts Yue Po as the seventh disciple. Unfortunately, the child is pitiful and cannot learn the sword, so I can only teach him unarmed techniques, hoping he will maintain his integrity and not tarnish the reputation of Mount Hua." The two of them bowed four times each and stood up. Lao De Nuo recited the Seven Precepts of Mount Hua. Ning Zhongze then said, "You must diligently study the techniques of Mount Hua. Although our school primarily focuses on the sword, there are also texts on unarmed techniques. You must understand that boxing is the ancestor of all weapons. Your conditions for martial arts practice are excellent, and with hard work, you will surely achieve something. You will temporarily reside in the inner courtyard so that I can take care of you, and after you turn eight, you will live with your senior brothers." Yue Po had long been convinced by Ning Zhongze and respectfully said, "Disciple will certainly not disgrace the name of the eldest disciple of the Ning family." Ning Zhongze did not expect that a joke would be remembered by the child, but he did not point it out and instead smiled, saying, "As long as you have this intention, you must not lose to them."

As evening approached, Ning Zhongze touched Yue Po's head and said, "Po'er, I am not particularly skilled in martial arts. I initially thought that my rudimentary techniques would suffice for your learning, but I did not expect your progress to be so rapid. Yesterday, I inadvertently discovered a manual on boxing, which should have been left by a previous master. Take it and study it well. There is also a book on Cloud Finger, which can be used to strike vital points on the body." Yue Po took a look and saw that it was 'Great Skill Hidden in the Abyss Boxing' and 'Mount Hua Cloud Finger.' He hurriedly expressed his gratitude. Ning Zhongze continued, "You should take care of yourself and not overexert. It would be best for you to move to the outer courtyard soon; being alone here can be quite lonely." Yue Po agreed, thinking to himself: How old am I? How can I play with that little ghost? Do you think I am Conan, dragging you to climb trees for fun? It would be quite frustrating for you.