"I’ve seen my elder before."
Li Yan’s face revealed a smile as he quickly clasped his fists and greeted with respect.
He considered this powerhouse from the pugilistic world of Ezhou a friend beyond years.
On the stage of Gui Mountain, it was thanks to the guidance of the elder and the fight with Cangzhou’s martial artist Wu Qu that he completely mastered martial arts.
Although the old man had a bad temper and a dirty mouth, Li Yan found his company quite comfortable.
At least when this old man disliked you, he would scold you to your face. He wasn’t the kind of person who acted one way to your face and another behind your back.
Li Yan then turned to look at Gu Hanzi and shook his head with a smile, "No wonder you didn’t talk about it on the way, this must be Zhang Family Village."
Gu Hanzi, pale-faced, smiled and nodded, "Knowing you were going up the mountain, Uncle Master Zhang has long instructed us to make sure to first bring you here to be our guest, just as the sky is getting dark..."
"What nonsense are you blabbering about!"
Zhang Xiaoshan, sowhat impatient, said, "Co on, co on, the welco feast is already laid out, let’s eat first. And you, Daoist Wang Jingxiu is resting in my house, he can just treat your wounds."
"Uncle Master Wang is also here?"
Gu Hanzi exclaid with a trace of delight shown on his face upon hearing this.
Upon seeing his reaction, Li Yan quickly inquired, "This Daoist Wang Jingxiu, which lineage does he belong to?"
Gu Hanzi was an inner-door disciple of the Zhenwu Palace in Wudang, and it was Li Yan’s first ti seeing him so excited, naturally, he wanted to ask for details.
"He’s the son of the Golden Toad Ancestor."
Gu Hanzi replied with a look of reverence on his face.
"I see."
Li Yan said, his understanding imdiately clarified upon hearing this.
He needed to ascend Wudang Mountain to help the Tuo Master with matchmaking; it was naturally important to understand the lay of the land to avoid inadvertently offending anyone.
Wudang Mountain, ancient in years, ranked ninth among the "Seventy-two Blessed Lands" of the Taoist school. At the end of the Han Dynasty, mbers of the Mystical Sect already practiced reclusion here.
During the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong decreed that the military governor Yao Jian pray for rain on Wudang Mountain and had the "Five Dragon Temple" built, which was later destroyed during the turmoil of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
It was not until Master Sanfeng appeared that Wudang truly flourished.
However, Master Sanfeng, like an idle cloud and wild crane, was elusive and known as the "Hidden Immortal", naturally he would not stay on the mountain year-round.
During the Da Xing Period of the forr dynasty, due to the stand-off between the north and south, Ezhou beca a battleground, and the temples of the Five Dragons, Southern Cliff and Purple Cloud on Wudang Mountain were all destroyed in the chaos of war.
Master Sanfeng then led his Taoist disciples to clear the thorns and sweep away the rubble, building huts to live in, nad Zhenwu Palace.
At the ti, Master Sanfeng had several famous disciples including Qiu Yuanjing, Sun Biyun, Li Xuanzong, Wang Daozong... Besides these, there were other Taoist recluses who together laid the foundation for Zhenwu Palace.
Later, Qiu Xuanqing ascended the mountain and was greatly valued by Master Sanfeng, who took him as his disciple and made him the Master of Zhenwu Palace. Master Sanfeng then took the opportunity to leave and wander the world.
This Qiu Xuanqing was a formidable man; even the great Emperor Gaozong of the Da Xing Period greatly admired him, appointing him as the State Preceptor to preside over national sacrifices.
Not only that, but he was also given two unparalleled beauties.
Who would have known that Qiu Xuanqing, just like the forr Master of Quanzhen, Qiu Chuji, in his pursuit of the Tao, abstained from the company of won and castrated himself.
He chose his ti carefully, on the nineteenth day of the first month.
This day was Master Qiu Chuji’s birthday, also known as "Yan Jiu," and since then, the "Yan Jiu Festival" beca very popular. Not only did the common folk celebrate it, but freshly recruited eunuchs in the palace would also choose this day for self-castration.
Frankly, it was the Chicken-Cutting Festival.
Of course, these are digressions, but they also illustrate the characteristics of Wudang Mountain: Though known for martial arts, it is relatively recent and has absorbed teachings from Zhengyi, Quanzhen, and Shangqing.
This is a feature of the Mystical Sect of Taoism.
Although it seems there are many sects, they are not strictly delineated; many practitioners study multiple doctrines, and so sects even worship the sa ancestor.
This was also the foundation for the consolidation of the Taoist schools and the establishnt of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect.
"The Golden Toad Ancestor" ntioned by Gu Hanzi, actually nad Wang Daozong, was a direct disciple of Master Sanfeng. Despite being over a hundred years old, he was still alive and highly esteed within Zhenwu Palace.
As for the lineage of Zhang Xiaoshan, it originated with Zhang Songxi; although it only continued the secular martial arts, any disciples under his command who awakened Divine Skills were sent to Wudang Mountain from childhood.
Over ti, they also had significant say in matters.
Li Yan’s ascent to the mountain wasn’t just for cultivation; he also had the matter of matchmaking for the Tuo Master, not just the treasure, but also needed the support of Zhenwu Palace.
After all, the Han River was close to Wudang Mountain, and without the backing of the Proper Xuan Sect, even if Prince Wuchang spoke up, the position of the Tuo Master as the Water God wouldn’t be secure for long.
And the stronger the Tuo Master beca, the stronger Lv San’s ability would grow.
This was the doctrine of the "Mountain and Sea Spiritual Response Scripture."
Zhang Family Village was not small; like many villages in Ezhou, it was centered around the family ancestral hall and continuously expanded, absorbing non-family mbers.
What set it apart, however, were the nurous martial arts training grounds throughout the village, with hard-packed earth and various training implents like plum blossom posts and stone locks, not only used for martial arts practice but also for drying rice grains.
Furthermore, the village ancestral hall was a small, family-run Taoist Temple, enshrining Emperor Zhenwu, Master Sanfeng, and Zhang Songxi.
Zhang Mansion also covered a large area.
Unlike the lavish hos of the wealthy rchants in Wuchang, the brick and wood carvings in Zhang Mansion were mostly related to Taoist lore, with three courtyards in the front and back, totaling nine yards, each with a small training ground.
By now, it was dark, and red lanterns were hung all over the courtyard, looking very imposing from a distance, and even the disciples guarding the gate were all in black, full of vigor.
Upon seeing this, Li Yan wasn’t surprised.
Despite Old Man Zhang’s usual sloppy appearance, like an old farr, the disciples under his command ran escort agencies and martial arts schools all over Ezhou, making him a veritable wealthy man.
"Gentlen, please!"
Old Man Zhang led everyone inside, imdiately instructing, "Take our honored guests to the prepared rooms."
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