Chapter 7: A Martial Arts Assembly at Yueyang Tower

　　Presently, three Tibetan monks ascended the tower. Leading them was a monk of imposing stature, his broad face and large ears giving him a formidable appearance. His right arm was bare, and he toyed with a string of prayer beads. This monk, appearing to be around forty years old, similar in age to Huang Fuli, spoke with a voice that resonated like a great bell: “I am Deji Yundan, the ‘Bochanbu’ (a specific official position in ancient Tibet) of Tibet”, he announced. “I have come to pay my respects to Master Qian, accompanied by my chief disciple, Ciren, and my second disciple, Zhigong Niechi.”

　　“What brings you from afar, Master?” inquired Master Qian.

　　Deji Yundan twirled the prayer beads in his hand. “Four years ago, my disciple Zhigong Niechi, in a moment of carelessness, was toppled by a child on the streets of Chang’an. Today, at the Martial Arts Assembly at Yueyang Tower, I have come seeking guidance. Might any of you esteemed heroes know of a child named Mo Zhu? I wish to seek further instruction from him,” he explained.

　　None of the martial artists present claimed to know who Mo Zhu was.

　　In truth, Deji Yundan’s quest to seek revenge against Mo Zhu was merely a facade. The trio had been tasked by the Tibetan ruler with two objectives: firstly, to gather intelligence on Tang military movements along their journey and map out the terrain; secondly, to deliberately stoke tensions between the Han Chinese and Tibetans in the populace. This would serve as a pretext for the Tibetans to rise against Tang rule under the guise of Han oppression, thereby giving their uprising legitimacy.

　　Deji Yundan deliberately provoked: “I suspect you martial artists from Central China are intentionally concealing the truth. Even if you truly don’t know who Mo Zhu is, from today onwards, we shall redefine the territories of each faction. Places like Weiyuan and Jiuchu are within the sphere of influence of our Tibetan forces. The merchants’ associations, salt traders, and money lenders are forbidden from conducting business in these areas.”

　　Huang Fuli replied softly and calmly, “You’re being unreasonable, monk. Our salt association has conducted business in Weiyuan and Jiuchu for generations. We won’t tolerate your baseless claims in this matter.”

　　Deji Yundan intentionally sought to provoke Huang Fuli, teasing him, “Oh! I had thought it was some big shot’s daughter here, but it turned out it’s the leader of the Huang gang. Is there nobody else in your salt gang? Letting a sissy like you act as the leader, others might mistake you for the gang leader’s wife!”

　　Enraged, Huang Fuli’s cheeks flushed crimson as he drew his longsword and lunged towards Deji Yundan. Zhigong Niechi intervened swiftly, blocking with his iron staff, and said, “Allow me to demonstrate a few moves first”.

　　The two men leaped down from the tower, engaging in combat in the spacious area below Yueyang Tower.

　　The onlookers leaned against the railing, watching intently. Huang Fuli exhibited an elegant and graceful demeanour, his longsword darting forth in a series of thrusts, slashes, feints, flicks, stabs, and cuts. His swordplay seamlessly alternated between three feints and one real attack, or five feints and one real attack, sometimes turning feints into actual strikes. Zhigong Niechi seemed enveloped in a flurry of sword shadows, his efforts focused solely on defence.

　　Seeing his junior brother about to be defeated, Ciren leapt down from the tower as well, wielding the Demon Suppression Staff, and aiming strikes at Huang Fuli. At the same time, he said, “Rest for a moment, junior brother. Let me handle this sissy”.

　　Ciren wielded the Demon Suppression Staff, weighing over a hundred catties, with martial arts that were both expansive and profound. His internal strength was formidable, and his physical power immense. Despite Huang Fuli’s skilled swordsmanship, Ciren paid no heed to his feints. Every time Huang Fuli made a move, Ciren countered with swings of his Demon Suppression Staff. Each strike from Ciren sent Huang Fuli staggering backward, regardless of the number of feints he attempted. Feeling the tremendous force pushing him back with each of Ciren’s strikes, Huang Fuli hastily exerted his inner energy to wield his sword swiftly. However, Ciren’s staff strikes remained relentless, and Huang Fuli sensed that Ciren’s inner energy showed no signs of weakening. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Huang Fuli pondered how to break free, but found himself immobilized, beads of sweat the size of beans cascading down his forehead.

　　Han Wanli, who harboured resentment towards Huang Fuli, secretly rejoiced, “It’s good to see this monk dampening your spirit a bit, so you won’t constantly oppose my Transportation Gang as the Salt Gang does.”

　　Seeing Huang Fuli on the verge of defeat, the innkeeper Qian turned to Master Purun and said, “Huang Fuli is a distinguished guest I have invited. If he were to be harmed by this monk, I would find it difficult to absolve myself of blame. Master, with your compassion and formidable martial skills, could you lend a hand to Huang Fuli?”

　　Master Purun chanted “Namo Amitabha Buddha” and swiftly leaped between the two combatants, using his Zen staff to block Ciren’s Demon Suppression Staff. However, Ciren refused to relent and continued swinging his staff, which weighed over a hundred catties, towards Master Purun. With a swift motion of his Zen staff, Master Purun intercepted the blow, and in the blink of an eye, Ciren felt a numbing sensation in his hands, his internal energy obstructed. Alarmed, he thought, “This monk’s internal strength is profound. He’s able to restrain my own internal energy. If this fight continues, it may endanger my vital organs.”

　　Seeing his disciple overpowered, Deji Yundan hurled his prayer beads towards Master Purun’s Zen staff with a loud crack. Master Purun stepped back, startled. Deji Yundan leapt high from Yueyang Tower like a hawk, then swiftly descended towards Master Purun, seizing Ciren’s Demon Suppression Staff as he did so. With momentum, he aimed a strike at Master Purun’s shoulder. However, Master Purun swayed his Zen staff, transforming it into a golden shadow that struck directly at Deji Yundan’s vital acupoints – the Tiantu, Jiuzi, Juque, Shenque, and others with swift and unpredictable movements.

　　Deji Yundan wielded the Demon Suppression Staff with simplicity, his techniques plain and unremarkable. Yet, with each move, his inner strength ran deep, forcing Master Purun to retreat repeatedly. Deji Yundan executed a horizontal strike with the Demon Suppression Staff, aiming directly at Master Purun’s Shangqu acupoint. If struck, Master Purun would surely perish on the spot.

　　In the blink of an eye, a zongzi flew through the air, striking Deji Yundan’s right thumb with a swift “whiz”. Deji Yundan felt a sharp pain in his thumb, and the Demon Suppression Staff clattered to the ground with a resounding “clang”. Shocked, Deji Yundan thought, “Who could this mysterious master be, possessing such profound inner strength? The zongzi flew from the top of Yueyang Tower with an inner force that felt like the endless flow of the Yangtze River. If this expert hadn’t shown mercy, I might have lost all my martial abilities by now.”

　　Deji Yundan immediately bowed and said, “I did not realize an esteemed master was present. My apologies for the offence. May I ask who you are?”

　　Simm Chengzhen responded, “I am Baiyunzi, Sima Chengzhen.”

　　Deji Yundan, flustered and apologetic, bowed deeply and said, “So it is Master Sima from the Qing Sect on Mount Tiantai. I have been residing in Tibet and failed to recognize a great master. My actions have been rash, and I beg for your forgiveness. My master often spoke of Master Sima with great respect, and today, after witnessing the prowess of the Qing Sect, I see that its reputation is well deserved. However, my master is far away in Tibet and cannot personally seek your instruction. If I may, I would like to humbly request guidance from your esteemed disciples.”

　　Deji Yundan was exceedingly cunning. Knowing full well that he was no match for Master Baiyun, he observed that the disciples accompanying Baiyun appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old. Thus, he deliberately spoke in such a manner, emphasizing his status as a younger and less experienced individual. This way, Baiyun could not use his superior position to challenge a junior. If a contest were to take place, it should rightfully be between Deji and Baiyun’s disciples.

　　Sima Chengzhen chuckled and said, “Very well, if my young disciples do not engage in a match with the esteemed monk today, I suspect you won’t leave easily. However, these two disciples are newly accepted and have primarily been learning the arts of self-cultivation, herbal medicine, and healing under my guidance. They have yet to delve into martial arts. Would you permit me to instruct them for half an hour first?”

　　Deji Yundan replied, “I would not wish to take advantage of the youth of your disciples. If either of these young brothers can withstand ten of my moves, I will consider it my loss. Moreover, I will ensure my strikes are measured and will not harm your disciples. Should I accidentally injure them, it will also count as my defeat. What does Master Sima think of this arrangement?”

　　Sima Chengzhen nodded and said, “Very well, that sounds agreeable!”

　　Sima Chengzhen turned to the two disciples beside him and said, “Jingsheng, Deyi, come here. You both joined the sect recently, and I have only taught you the Supreme Image Containing Sword Technique for self-cultivation and some breathing techniques from the Form and Spirit Sitting and Forgetting Divine Art. You haven’t yet learned the skills for facing an opponent in combat. Now, it’s time for some last-minute preparation. Since Jingsheng has been with us a bit longer, he will face Deji Yundan’s ten moves.”

　　Xiao Jingsheng nodded, still somewhat bewildered.

　　Sima Chengzhen then turned to Tao Deyi and said, “Deyi, this is a good opportunity for you to learn as well.”

　　“Understood, Master”, Tao Deyi replied in a youthful and innocent tone.

　　Sima Chengzhen explained to his two disciples, “Deji Yundan possesses profound inner strength, while Jingsheng is still young and should not engage in direct confrontation with him.”

　　As he spoke, Sima Chengzhen gently raised his left palm, saying, “Our sect’s martial arts emphasize using softness to overcome hardness. Deji Yundan's martial prowess is exceedingly fierce, yet excessive force leads to weakness, and sharpness must not be maintained for long. Jingsheng, remember to understand his strength, guard against his weakness, and adapt to the situation accordingly.”

　　Xiao Jingsheng and Tao Deyi observed attentively, recognizing that although their master’s techniques appeared gentle, the inner strength behind them flowed endlessly. They understood that this was the pinnacle martial art of the Shangqing Sect. They held their breaths, fully focused on observing.

　　“The Supreme Image Containing Sword Technique emphasizes both outer roundness and inner squareness, encapsulating its essence within the cosmos, resonating its power through both purity and allure, hence its name, Containing Images. ‘Sitting and Forgetting’ is to invite truth to refine one’s form; when the form is pure, it harmonizes with the energy, and when the energy is clear, it harmonizes with the spirit. When wielding the internal force of Deji Yundan, do not resist it; instead, remember to first settle the mind. Through this, inner wisdom will illuminate, revealing the emptiness within all phenomena. Forget, and merge the heart with tranquility – this is what we call ‘Sitting and Forgetting’”, explained Sima Chengzhen as he demonstrated with his sword.

　　Xiao Jingsheng nodded in agreement, saying, “I will remember”. Xiao Jingsheng was a newly recruited disciple of the Shangqing Sect, only seventeen years old at the time.

　　As for Tao Deyi, who would later play a significant role in defeating the Maitreya Sect, he was merely sixteen years old at this time. The purpose of their journey with Master Baiyun was to gather herbs on the Mount Heng. However, they couldn’t refuse the generous invitation extended by Mr. Qian, hence their presence at the banquet.

　　Xiao Jingsheng, holding his long sword, approached Deji Yundan and bowed respectfully, saying, “As a newcomer to the sect, my skills are still lacking. Please, Master, enlighten me some.”

　　Deji Yundan said, “Young brother, don’t hold back. I have said before: if you can withstand my ten strikes, you win.” With that, he swung his Demon Subduing Staff towards Xiao Jingsheng.

　　Upon witnessing the ferocity of Deji Yundan’s attack, everyone was taken aback. “No wonder even Master Purun, even with his formidable skills, was defeated by him,” they murmured in astonishment.

　　Xiao Jingsheng, with his sword in hand, did not attempt to block. Instead, he moved with a fluid grace, flitting here and there like a butterfly, effortlessly evading three of Deji Yundan’s strikes.

　　The disciples of the Transportation and Salt Gangs cheered loudly, “The speed force of the Shangqing Sect, like the butterfly in Zhuang Zhou’s dream, is so light and ethereal. It’s truly an eye-opener!”

　　Deji Yundan thought to himself, “If I let this boy continue to dodge like this, he might evade the remaining seven moves as well.” With that, he switched tactics. Grasping his staff in his right hand, he struck downward at Xiao Jingsheng’s head. Xiao Jingsheng dodged to the right, but Deji Yundan suddenly unleashed his left palm. Midway through the strike, his single palm morphed into seven, a dazzling display of skill that enveloped Xiao Jingsheng in a flurry of shadowy strikes.

　　Master Purun, standing nearby, exclaimed in amazement, “The Seven-Tiered Pagoda Palm Technique truly lives up to its name! I had assumed Deji Yundan relied solely on his deep inner strength, with unremarkable techniques. Little did I expect such a sophisticated palm technique.” Xiao Jingsheng, finding no way to evade, was struck squarely in the chest by one of the palms.

　　To know whether Xiao Jingsheng survives the strike, please stay tuned for the next thrilling chapter.