Chapter 9: The Wedding |
In the blink of an eye, another month flew by. Niu You Dao felt more and more like a prisoner. As Song Yang Qing had said, he could only walk within and around the palace. As for wandering wherever his eyes led him – that pleasure was not yet allowed. He had been told that only a disciple who had just joined the sect could not roam freely. He clearly understood that if it were merely sect rules, would there be guards standing outside his door?
Niu You Dao was certain there was another reason behind this. However, he knew little and could not guess what was truly happening.
Yet, he could not act as he pleased here; all he could do was calmly observe and monitor the situation. The only thing he was free to do was his own cultivation, until the hidden curtain before him was lifted.
The night sky. Myriads of stars glittered, lending a magical beauty to the night. No one in the room was asleep. Only a person was standing on their hands next to a couch.
Under the illumination, one could see Niu You Dao holding a sword in his hand, propping himself against the ground with it, maintaining his balance. If one looked closely, one could notice his shoulder vibrating, as if he were struggling to keep his body steady. However, maintaining balance was difficult for him, so he switched hands, holding the sword in his other hand. A brighter sheen began to emanate from his body. He was not only training his control power but also agility and bodily balance. He was training every muscle in his body. In such matters, there were many things that needed to be taken seriously.
Especially regarding the tempering of the sword's essence, the tempering of the balance between soul, body, and sword. One could say that in this way, the mind of the sword and the person merged into one. Thus, one achieves flawless control over the sword. When a person mentally merges with the sword, when they become one entity, then they move as one. Therefore, the sword is easily controlled. This is the unique feature of the Taiyi sword art method. It is called the "Azure Lotus's Pursuit of Chaos". The body is positioned so that blood flows to the head, causing one's consciousness to gradually become hazy in such a posture, like an unfolding lotus bud, allowing everything to follow its natural course.
In the beginning, cultivating was difficult, beyond words. Yet, amidst such suffering, one could gradually feel the clarity of sword control and comprehend the true benefit of wielding the sword.
In one month, he could learn to stand upside down on the tip of the sword's hilt. One could see rather rapid progress. Yet, in his previous life, Niu You Dao had spent a year to achieve such a feat. Back then, he had still been groping in the dark in many aspects. But now he possessed a wealth of experience, making it much easier and faster for him to succeed when retreading the path.
Thus, after standing for more than half an hour, Niu You Dao's entire body was covered in sweat. His face was flushed red from the rush of blood, and drops of sweat were already trickling down from his scalp. Drops of sweat also flowed along the sword's blade to the ground, dampening the earth.
Niu You Dao dared not swing the sword vigorously, so as not to wake the people outside. Thus, he carefully returned the sword to its scabbard. Then, taking a towel, he wiped himself and changed his clothes. Afterward, tucking his legs under him, he sat on the bed and began practicing his Qigong breathing technique. He fell into oblivion, forgetting the aching pain and fatigue in all his limbs.
Thus, dawn imperceptibly crept in.
Niu You Dao's breathing technique had achieved even greater success after more than a month of training. He could now inhale deeply and calmly, filling all his meridians and limbs with air, then very slowly, meticulously exhaling.
As time passed, the sun rose higher, illuminating the entire sky. All living things gradually awakened from the morning sun, which signaled to Niu You Dao that the best time for oblivion had passed. Therefore, he slowly opened his eyes.
After a night of cultivation, all the fatigue from standing on his hands vanished as if by magic. Niu You Dao was now in high spirits and good humor.
Moreover, after falling into oblivion, he did not intend to continue cultivating. After all, he still had a young and undeveloped body, and excessive strain would be harmful to him. Niu You Dao was still in a period of growth, and his blood and Qi were sensitive to environmental influences. Furthermore, his food was delivered at specific times, and if he were to constantly remain secluded in his room, such behavior might arouse suspicion from those around him.
How could a country bumpkin cultivate? Besides, Niu You Dao still did not know the Supreme Purity Sect's attitude towards him. Some things were better left unsaid to others. At the very least, he could not protect himself yet. Therefore, the fewer troubles he had, the better. Once he understood the situation within the sect more clearly, then he could make decisions.
A hot spring flowed in the courtyard. After brushing his teeth, Niu You Dao, at his usual time, opened the door and stepped out of the courtyard. Under the peach tree, Su Yi Tian sat cross-legged. He had guarded Niu You Dao all night.
Hearing the creak of the opening door, he turned his head and slowly stood up.
Niu You Dao approached and greeted him. They had barely exchanged a few words when Cheng Gui Shuo ascended the mountain with a food box. He had come to relieve Su Yi Tian.
Su Yi Tian would leave and only return at lunchtime with food, and in the evening, Cheng Gui Shuo would come back again. These two individuals always guarded Niu You Dao in this manner.
The Supreme Purity Sect clearly attached great importance to him. Niu You Dao understood this too. Otherwise, why would he have been called Lord Dao in the criminal underworld for nothing?
Opening the food box, Niu You Dao ate a hearty breakfast. And after diligently washing the dishes, he placed the clean dishes back into the box and set the box under the tree. He knew that Cheng Gui Shuo would retrieve the box later.
"Brother Cheng, later, could you help me get a couch?" Niu You Dao asked Cheng Gui Shuo, after placing the food box under the tree. Since he had renounced the position of sect head, Song Yang Qing had started treating him much better, and if they could do something for him, they did.
Cheng Gui Shuo, who was picking at and sniffing the peach blossoms, turned and asked, laughing, "Why do you need a couch, youngster?"
Niu You Dao pointed to the spot under the tree and said:
"To put it here. The brothers are constantly sitting on the open ground under the tree. I feel awkward about it."
Cheng Gui Shuo was surprised. So this youngster was concerned about them?! Therefore, he patted Niu You Dao on the shoulder and said approvingly, "Good for you. All right, I'll get a couch later."
Niu You Dao smiled dazzlingly and, glancing around, said:
"Brother, this place is exquisite. Surely, the Supreme Purity Sect holds a high position in the cultivation world?"
Only when Cheng Gui Shuo returned could he ask him a few questions. He felt that the Supreme Purity Sect was hiding something from him.
Song Yang Qing didn't come often, and his mood was constantly fluctuating. Su Yi Tian was quite taciturn. No matter what Niu You Dao asked, he always remained silent. And only Cheng Gui Shuo couldn't keep his mouth shut. He had recently told Niu You Dao quite a few things. Only about matters to which Niu You Dao was related, he did not speak.
"Heh-heh!" Cheng Gui Shuo smiled restrainedly. However, then, shaking his head, he said:
"Never mind. Nothing will come of saying it. Our Supreme Purity Sect has long been a powerful sect—the foremost sect in the Yan Kingdom, and our founder was the emperor’s preceptor—" Cheng Gui Shuo praised the sect in this manner.
After the collapse of the Wu Kingdom, many descendants of Shang Song experienced great hardships. And the world divided into numerous warring kingdoms. Among them, the Yan Kingdom emerged, and the founder of the Supreme Purity Sect, Da Gong Sheng, was precisely the emperor's preceptor. At that time, the sect experienced a flourishing period, and the number of disciples in the sect reached over ten thousand people. Only later, for various reasons, did the sect begin to decline. And now, the number of disciples is only a few hundred people.
Speaking of the sect's position in the cultivation world, Cheng Gui Shuo seemed reluctant to elaborate. And Niu You Dao also understood that it would be awkward to press further at such a moment.
Noticing that Cheng Gui Shuo no longer wished to speak, Niu You Dao immediately changed the subject:
"Brother Song usually comes. But recently, he hasn't been seen for a long time. It's boring without him."
Cheng Gui Shuo chuckled:
"Sister Tang is the foremost beauty of Purple Cloud County, and her wedding is soon. How could Brother Song remain indifferent?" Saying this, Cheng Gui Shuo reacted belatedly and, waving his hand, said:
"What am I talking to you for, a child? What do you understand..."
Niu You Dao blinked his eyes and, feigning offense, said:
"Why wouldn't I understand? Is Brother Song taking Sister Tang as his wife?"
"Ah, you little rascal!" Cheng Gui Shuo laughed and, patting him on the shoulder, said:
"It's not a surprise. Sister Tang is the next sect head and will soon be married."
Niu You Dao was curious about Song Yang Qing because he noticed how Cheng Gui Shuo and Su Yi Tian treated him. They didn't treat him as a respected friend, but rather as a superior brother.
"So, because Brother Song will become the sect head's husband, you fear him?"
Cheng Gui Shuo stared intently at Niu You Dao:
"Rascal, who do we fear?"
Niu You Dao: "Am I speaking incorrectly? Is it because he's an inner-circle disciple, and you and Brother Su are not? It's strange to me. You and Brother Su don't seem much different from Brother Song. Why is he an inner-circle disciple, and you are not?"
Such words seemed to cause bitterness in Cheng Gui Shuo's heart. This short disciple, leaning against the peach tree, said:
"Brother, some matters are not as simple as they seem. Often, what matters isn't who you are, but who stands behind you..."
Distraught, Cheng Gui Shuo spoke a little about those who stood behind Song Yang Qing. Song Yang Qing's father, Song Shu, was Tang Su Su's personal disciple. But more important was Song Yang Qing's grandfather, Song Jiu Ming. He was a confidant of the Minister of Public Works, Tong Mo, and held one of the nine highest court positions. He worked in the supreme court of the imperial palace. And Song Yang Qing's father, Song Shu, after leaving the Supreme Purity Sect, went to Song Jiu Ming and became a martial arts instructor for his guards. It was quite common to have a martial arts instructor for one's guards in the imperial court.
Of course, that powerful figure in the supreme court had not only one son, Song Shu, and not only one grandson, Song Yang Qing, but extra guards would not hurt. Especially when your own son was among your guards. And now, the Supreme Purity Sect mainly survived thanks to the patronage of the Song family. Cultivation resources for the Supreme Purity Sect were delivered through the Song family's channels. And if it weren't for the Song family's patronage, the Supreme Purity Sect would have long been annihilated by other sects. Now let's see, in such a situation, even if Song Yang Qing were a mediocre disciple, would he have any trouble becoming an inner-circle disciple?
Niu You Dao suddenly understood. The Minister of Public Works could be considered an advisor to the emperor, and Song Yang Qing's grandfather was a confidant of such a person, holding a position in the supreme court. One could say that all judicial power of the country was in his hands. What was there to be surprised about?
"Ah, what do you understand?" Cheng Gui Shuo waved his hand, laughing at himself.