Chapter 77: When Three People Walk Together, One Must Be My Teacher
Shaoshang, a fisherman in the lakes and seas, Yuji and Taiyuan, turning the rudder at will, said the meridians were immeasurable, and still taught Chize to summon dragons.
The poem uses a fisherman as a metaphor, the meridians as a boat, navigating freely in the sea of life, transforming the rotten into the magical.
Among them, “Shaoshang,” “Yuji,” and “Chize” all refer to acupoints between the meridians.
In the Quanzhen Sect’s supreme swordplay “One Sword Transforms into Three Purities,” this poem is the method of guiding energy for the swordplay.
Whether it is spear techniques or swordplay, from the “external” of the moves to the “internal” of the form, there are methods for circulating energy.
The same moves, under different methods of circulating energy, will exhibit completely different powers.
Just like the classic “Returning Spear” in spear techniques, the Yang Family Spear Technique has it, the Huyan Spear Technique also has this move, and Zhang Sanqiang’s spear techniques naturally do not fall behind, turning defeat into victory with this move that strikes a fatal blow.
However, the methods of circulating energy are different, and the power and variations of the moves are also different.
The human body has the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, the Twelve Standard Meridians, as well as secondary meridians, the Three Enclosures Imperial Meridians, and the Twenty-Eight Branches, and all the profound mysteries of martial arts lie in the circulation of Inner Qi within the channels.
Zhou Yan initially practiced the Quanzhen Swordplay taught by Sun Buer. He comprehended the sword on the Taihang Mountains Peak. His Inner Qi followed the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian as described in the incantation above. The supreme swordplay “One Qi Transforms into Three Purities” taught by Danyangzi, in addition to circulating Inner Qi through this meridian, also requires traversing the Hand Yangming Meridian. The Qi branches out from the “Shoulder Bone Acupoint” of this meridian, enters the bone behind the neck, and descends to the large intestine, belonging to the lung. It ascends along the throat, superficially emerges above the collarbone.
A unique cycle is formed between the standard meridians and the secondary meridians, which is the key to “One Sword Transforms into Three Purities.” Without grasping the secret, let alone “transforming into three purities,” one cannot even “transform into two purities.” Lacking the Qi Guiding Method, even someone with an excellent memory like Huang Rong, who can almost achieve photographic memory, if they observe and remember the moves and replicate them, at best, they can only make the sword tip tremble, which can scare people but is difficult to injure the enemy.
As Zhou Yan watched Ma Yu perform this sword technique, he also memorized the method of circulating energy. He deeply admired Zhong Shentong Wang Chongyang to the extreme. The Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, Southern Emperor, and Northern Beggar, universally acknowledged as the greatest in the world, left behind an almost inexhaustible treasure trove of martial arts for the Quanzhen Sect. In the Jianghu of the Divine Condor, the Quanzhen Sect’s decline was not due to its techniques, but due to its people; there were no disciples with outstanding talent.
“Shangyang, a thatched hut of two or three rooms, Hegou and Yangxi, how many turns? By the Nine-Bend Pool, the clouds are faint, and the starry sky bathes in the waves,” suddenly Danyangzi finished speaking. After reciting the last four lines of the cultivation technique incantation, he let out a light whistle. His sword blade formed a fan-shaped radiance, three cold flames intertwined, and sharp edges overlapped. With a “snap,” three inch-deep sword marks appeared simultaneously on the Plum Blossom Pile in the courtyard.
Zhou Yan was amazed.
Ma Yu sheathed his sword and said, “Young friend, how much have you remembered?”
“Seventy percent.”
Danyangzi exclaimed, “Young friend’s memory is almost photographic. I will perform it once more.”
“Thank you, Taoist Priest.”
The Sword Light rose again, swift as Yi shooting down the sun, agile as the emperors riding dragons. This time, Danyangzi deliberately slowed his movements, allowing Zhou Yan to observe every detail. After one performance, he remembered it all, and was inevitably praised again by the Two Immortals of Quanzhen.
Zhou Yan memorized the moves and the methods of circulating energy. As for whether he could achieve two or three purities, or even surpass them with sword four or sword five, it would depend on the thickness of his Inner Qi and his comprehension. The Master leads the way, but cultivation depends on the individual.
Wang Chuyi suddenly said, “The Plum Blossom Pile in young friend’s courtyard is different from what this poor Taoist has seen before; it is truly marvelous.”
Zhou Yan buried the Plum Blossom Pile in the courtyard, firstly to refine the “Free and Easy Journey” fist techniques and movements to perfection, and secondly to practice the Elbow Technique and Sanshou from the Yue Family Fist Manual, hence the Plum Blossom Pile was over seven feet high.
As Yuyangzi asked, Zhou Yan said, “I will demonstrate for the Taoist Priest, and you will know.”
In terms of cultivation, Yuyangzi and Danyangzi at this moment surpassed Zhou Yan, but the two did not think Zhou Yan was being pretentious. Instead, they watched attentively. Zhou Yan did not step onto the pile. His left foot was forward, his right forearm and upper arm overlapped. His right foot stepped forward, his upper body turned right, his left palm pushed his right fist, and using this momentum, his right elbow thrust forward and upward.
With a dull “bang,” the snowflakes on the wooden pile were instantly shaken off, forming a curtain of snow.
Zhou Yan performed the six elbow techniques from the Yue Family Fist Manual: Break, Roll, Fall, Smash, Yuanyang, and Block. He used the upward thrust elbow, horizontal thrust elbow, smash elbow, upward flick elbow, coiled elbow, and bent elbow. The elbow attacks were as hard as iron, specifically targeting Qi and blood.
Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu were truly shocked by this continuous, compact, stable-footed, fast, and fierce elbow technique. To an outsider, it might seem like the chaotic fighting style of a ruffian. However, the Two Immortals of Quanzhen, with their profound cultivation, saw the underlying principles. This cultivation technique could be considered one where every move hit its mark, a life-or-death killing move that could break bones and tear tendons, possessing great lethality and sudden offense. Fists are long-range weapons, while elbows are short-range weapons. It could be considered a foundational technique for establishing a sect.
The martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect aimed to injure the enemy while also being aesthetically pleasing. If it were someone like Zhao Zhijing, they might have scoffed at Zhou Yan’s elbow techniques, but Danyangzi and Yuyangzi’s senses were strongly impacted. They watched intently and unconsciously memorized most of the elbow techniques from the Yue Family Fist Manual. This was an External Style martial art, with no Qi Guiding Method. With the cultivation of the two priests, they could learn and master it immediately.
Zhou Yan’s peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of the Two Immortals of Quanzhen concentrating intently. An image suddenly appeared in his mind: a Taoist priest, appearing like a Taoist immortal with an ethereal bearing, facing an enemy in combat, delivering an elbow strike to the enemy’s face, causing the opponent’s facial bone to explode and blood to splatter.
He even chuckled.
There is no superiority or inferiority in techniques; this exchange was exhilarating. Unconsciously, the Two Immortals of Quanzhen grasped some of the profound truths and mysteries of the Yue Family Boxing.
The kind-hearted Danyangzi even thought of encountering a troublesome opponent, raising his whisk as a feint while attacking with his elbow as the real move. He figured it would surely leave the opponent flustered, and he found it amusing, unable to suppress a laugh.
The two elders and the young man truly became friends beyond their years.
The runner arrived at the courtyard with the purchased ingredients at this moment.
Danyangzi and Yuyangzi returned to their rooms, and the runner helped out. While Zhou Yan was preparing the meal, he taught them some simple elbow techniques and seizing methods. For the runners, this was a fortunate opportunity.
Zhou Yan had a deep impression of the young man who was holding the escort flag outside Xiangyang. He had even mentioned the method of throwing lime.
…
Snowflakes and milk foam float in the afternoon cups, and mushroom-like taro shoots are sampled on spring plates. Mustard sprouts and vegetable shoots are clustered in green and red, and guests laugh and chat amidst the feast.
“Chrysanthemum White” added to the merriment, and they ate without restraint.
Wang Chuyi said, “We have come to young friend’s place this time, and we need your help with one matter.”
Zhou Yan quickly replied, “Please speak, Taoist Priest. I will do my best within my capabilities, and I will not refuse.”
Wang Chuyi and Zhou Yan were interacting for the first time, and they did not mention the martial arts competition in Jiaxing. It remained the same at this moment.
“Young friend works at the escort bureau and is well-informed. Could you please keep an eye out for a few people?”
Zhou Yan understood. They were looking for the Six Freaks of Jiangnan and the Golden Saber Consort.
In the Jianghu of Legend of the Condor Heroes, Yuyangzi met Guo Jing during Mu Nianci’s martial arts competition to recruit a husband. This did not happen here.
“Please tell me who, Taoist Priest?”
“Senior Brother, you tell him.”
Danyangzi Ma Yu found it difficult to describe Guo Jing, as he himself had not seen him for a long time. He assumed that Guo Jing, heading south, would be with the Six Freaks of Jiangnan. He said, “The people my senior brother and I are looking for are easy to identify. The leader carries a thick iron staff. He is between fifty and sixty years old, with a pointed mouth and a shifty face. There is another person with a peculiar appearance, short hands, short feet, and a short neck, with a stout build. They will likely appear in a group of six or seven people, including a woman.”
Danyangzi specifically mentioned Flying Bat Ke Zhen’e and Ma Wang Shen Han Baoju.
Zhou Yan found it inconvenient to directly say that the Six Freaks of Jiangnan lived at the Yuelai Inn. He could mention it in a day or two.
He said, “I will arrange for some runners to investigate when I return to the escort bureau. My courtyard is quite spacious, so the two Taoist priests might as well stay here temporarily, so that we can reply as soon as there is any news.”
“Excellent.”
Yuyangzi and Danyangzi did not stand on ceremony. They stayed for two days, drinking and chatting with their young friend, discussing martial arts and Daoist canons, which was also a joyful matter.
