ATPnovel Chapter 9: The Quanzhen Sect – Dragon Knights No Longer Exist in the World!
Chapter 9: The Quanzhen Sect – Dragon Knights No Longer Exist in the World!
Ouyang Ke lingered in Luoyang for five or six days, repeatedly studying the second volume of the "Nine Yang Manual" until he felt he had achieved a minor level of mastery before finally setting off.
On this day, he ordered his coachman to pack his belongings and change his route from Luoyang to the west, intending to pass through Guanzhong to reach Chencang, and then take a boat down the Han River to Xiangyang.
Indeed, besides returning to Jiangnan along the way, he had another secret purpose for heading south—to visit the sword tomb in an unnamed valley far outside Xiangyang City.
Within that sword tomb lie the lost sword and legacy of the legendary "Sword Demon" Dugu Qiubai. If one could glimpse its secrets, one would undoubtedly make tremendous progress in the art of swordsmanship.
But what he values most is the Bodhi Serpent, which is of great help to his current cultivation of the "Nine Yang Divine Skill".
Of course, this matter cannot be rushed. The exact location of that desolate valley is not recorded even by later generations; we can only search for it slowly.
As for martial arts training, he had already mastered the second volume of the Nine Yang Manual during his time in Luoyang. Such progress was indeed quite rapid.
Upon careful consideration, he realized that his smooth progress was due to two main reasons. First, the internal energy cultivation method of the White Camel Mountain lineage had laid an excellent foundation for him. Although it wasn't as "profound" as the Nine Yin and Nine Yang Manuals, it was still a highly advanced and sophisticated technique in the martial arts world. Second, the "Tendon Changing and Bone Strengthening Manual" given to him by Hong Qigong had also played a crucial role. The combination of these two factors allowed him to achieve a minor level of mastery in just a few days.
However, this is already the limit he can reach at the moment.
The Nine Yang Manual is indeed wondrous. If one can master this skill, their internal energy will generate at an astonishingly rapid and inexhaustible pace. Even without any specific techniques, ordinary punches and kicks will unleash tremendous power. Its defensive capabilities are also exceptionally strong; true energy automatically protects the body, deflecting external attacks, almost comparable to the "Indestructible Vajra Body" of the Shaolin Seventy-Two Arts. Lightness skill and agility will also be greatly enhanced; both endurance and speed are far superior to what they once were. Furthermore, it is a sacred text for healing, immune to all poisons, and specifically counteracts all cold and yin-type internal energies.
Furthermore, the Nine Yang Divine Skill integrates the ultimate principles of martial arts. Once mastered, one can use any martial art in the world, and even for moves one has never learned before, one can see through their essence at a glance.
To reach such a level, one must thoroughly understand and master all four volumes of scriptures.
Even if one cannot achieve great mastery, one should at least practice up to the third volume of the scriptures.
Zhang Wuji, in later generations, secluded himself in the heart of the Kunlun Mountains for five years, diligently cultivating day and night before finally reaching the level of the third volume of the scripture. This was due in part to his childhood practice of the Wudang Nine Yang Skill, and also to Zhang Sanfeng's repeated sacrifices of his own life force to suppress the cold poison within him. All these coincidences led to his later achievements.
The one who can truly be learned from is Master Jueyuan, who guarded the Sutra Repository. He had been practicing this skill for over thirty years, but he had only managed to reach the third volume. Moreover, he benefited from his detached state of mind, which inadvertently aligned with the Nine Yang Heart Method, which is why his progress was so rapid.
Ouyang Ke believed that in terms of both foundation and aptitude, he was in no way inferior to Zhang Wuji of later generations. Even so, it would probably take him several years of hard work to master the third volume. As for achieving mastery—that was an opportunity that was even more rare and hard to come by.
It should be known that even if an ordinary person cultivates this skill for decades, they may not be able to cross the threshold of the third volume. Even if they do reach the third volume, achieving mastery is as difficult as ascending to heaven. This is because if the Nine Yang Divine Skill is not mastered, and one cannot win a prolonged battle, there is a risk of losing power and dying.
To outsiders, this is a difficult problem to solve.
But Ouyang Ke was different.
He had strong support to rely on—his own uncle, Ouyang Feng.
Upon reaching the third volume of cultivation, one needs a master whose martial arts far surpass one's own to assist with profound internal energy and gradually guide one's progress towards the final, supreme achievement. This method, in essence, is not unusual, yet very few can truly master it. This is because no one is willing to entrust their life to another, and even fewer can fully trust others.
Moreover, others may not be willing to expend their true energy, thereby creating a powerful opponent for themselves in the future!
But Ouyang Feng was different; he and his nephew were not only like father and son, but were actually father and son.
Ouyang Ke knew better than anyone how Ouyang Feng treated him. He was someone he could entrust his life to.
Of course, it's too early to talk about these things now. The most urgent task is to reach the level of the third volume of the scripture as soon as possible.
……
Several days later, Ouyang Ke had arrived in Guanzhong.
At present, the Mongol forces are at their peak. Some time ago, the Mongol army had already surrounded the capital of the Jin Dynasty, Dadu, and Temujin also sent Jochi to manage Shanxi, his younger brother Khasar to Hebei, and he personally led his young son Tolui to develop Shandong.
The Jin dynasty was already showing signs of impending doom, its days numbered.
Compared to the chaos and turmoil in other regions, the Guanzhong area, with its strategic location at the foot of four passes, has not yet been invaded by the Mongol cavalry and remains peaceful.
Ouyang Ke sat in the carriage, relying on the token given to him by Wanyan Honglie earlier, and passed through the Jin soldiers' checkpoints without hindrance. In less than half a day, he arrived in Chang'an.
The city of Chang'an, now known as Jingzhao Prefecture by the Jin dynasty, still retains its former grandeur, though it has long since lost the prosperity of the Han and Tang dynasties.
After traveling for several days, Ouyang Ke was exhausted and had finally arrived in Chang'an, so he naturally needed to rest for a while.
He could work without sleep, but the coachman needed to rest.
The carriage stopped outside a rather grand restaurant. Ouyang Ke sat in a wooden wheelchair and was slowly pushed inside by the driver.
Although his leg injuries have stabilized and he can now walk with crutches, he finds them rather unsightly. Besides, he's not one to deliberately endure hardship, so he simply uses a wheelchair, which is quite comfortable for him.
The coachman's surname was Liu, whom he had hired in Sheyang County. He served him very well throughout the journey. The group of people he had hired to show off his status had been dismissed when he left Luoyang. Now, he only had this coachman surnamed Liu by his side, along with a newly hired young servant who stayed at the inn to look after the luggage.
As soon as Ouyang Ke and his companion stepped into the restaurant, they immediately attracted a lot of attention.
He was dressed in pure white, his clothes were luxurious, his face was like jade, his lips were like cinnabar, his eyebrows were like swords and his eyes were like stars, and he was exceptionally handsome. Such appearance and demeanor would make him stand out even in a crowd, and he would be unforgettable at first glance.
Unfortunately, he was confined to a wheelchair...
The diners in the restaurant glanced at his legs, shook their heads inwardly, and then lowered their heads to drink and eat. Most people assumed he was just a pampered rich kid who had come out to enjoy the scenery and accidentally injured his leg.
Ouyang Ke didn't mind, found a corner by the window, and ordered a few local specialties. He arranged for the driver surnamed Liu to sit at the next table while he went to eat and rest.
Before long, a pot of fine wine and four exquisite side dishes were placed on the table. Ouyang Ke savored them slowly and deliberately, his every move exuding the demeanor of a scion of a prominent family.
When he was halfway through his drinking session, he suddenly realized something.
From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, a gaze seemed to be subtly fixed on me. The gaze wasn't sharp, but it carried a hint of curiosity and inquiry, sweeping over me several times.
Ouyang Ke glanced at a corner of the hall with a slight movement of his eye.
There sat a figure wearing a straw hat, with a thin veil hanging from the brim, obscuring the face. Judging from the silhouette, it was undoubtedly a woman.
He didn't pay any attention. It was common for women to travel alone in the martial world, unwilling to reveal their true faces.
Just then, two more people stepped into the restaurant.
The two men, dressed in wide robes and with their hair tied in a bun, resembled Taoist priests. Upon seeing them, the waiter immediately greeted them with a beaming smile, clearly recognizing them.
"Esteemed Taoist priests, shall we proceed with the usual protocol?"
One person said, "The usual order: a pot of hot tea and four vegetarian dishes."
The waiter acknowledged and withdrew.
Ouyang Ke glanced at them out of the corner of his eye and saw that the two men were dressed in Taoist robes. One of them had long eyebrows and handsome eyes, and was about seventeen or eighteen years old. The other man was obviously a few years older, with a long beard, and his eyes revealed a hint of fierceness as he vigilantly scanned his surroundings.
Upon seeing Ouyang Ke's luxurious attire, the long-bearded Taoist paused slightly before glancing at the woman wearing a bamboo hat in another corner. Seeing that she was sitting alone at a table without making any moves, he then withdrew his gaze.
Ouyang Ke picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.
Taoist priests of the Quanzhen School.
He observed that the two men were sharp-witted and quick-witted, clearly true disciples. He didn't take them seriously. He simply continued drinking, pretending not to see them.
Meanwhile, Zhao Zhijing and Yin Zhiping had already taken their seats and were talking in hushed tones.
The two of them lowered their voices when they spoke, but how could they hide it from Ouyang Ke's ears?
The long-bearded Taoist said, "Junior Brother Yin, you are on your way to Jiangnan on the orders of Uncle Qiu. Please be careful along the way."
The handsome Taoist priest nodded and said, "Brother Zhao is absolutely right. I will be careful."
Ouyang Ke understood the situation as he listened to their conversation.
These two men were none other than Yin Zhiping, a disciple of Qiu Chuji, and Zhao Zhijing, the eldest disciple of Wang Chuyi, both true disciples of the third generation of the Quanzhen School.
After a few more words, Ouyang Ke gleaned the gist of the conversation. It turned out that Qiu Chuji had learned that "Eastern Heretic" Huang Yaoshi intended to kill the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan to vent his anger, and to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, he had evacuated the Seven Freaks' families in advance. At the same time, worried that the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan might be unprepared, he sent Yin Zhiping south to deliver the message.
Zhao Zhijing suddenly said, "I heard from my senior uncles and masters that Ouyang Ke, who once served under Wanyan Honglie, appeared in Jiangnan some time ago. It's a pity I couldn't go south, otherwise I would have definitely let this scoundrel experience the martial arts of my Quanzhen Sect!"
Yin Zhiping frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, "Senior Brother Zhao is highly skilled in martial arts, but according to Master, Ouyang Ke's martial arts are no less than those of our senior uncles and elder brothers. Senior Brother, you should not underestimate this person."
Zhao Zhijing's gaze darkened, and he snorted coldly, "Junior Brother Yin, why do you boost the morale of others while diminishing your own? That old scoundrel Ouyang Feng, back then, took advantage of our sect's founder's impending ascension to launch a night attack on my Chongyang Palace. Wasn't he severely injured by our founder's One-Finger Divine Skill, and since then dared not set foot in the Central Plains again! I have cultivated diligently in Zhongnan Mountain for over ten years, but unfortunately, my master and uncles refused to send me south, otherwise I would have definitely taught him a lesson!"
Upon hearing this, Yin Zhiping couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
He knew that his senior brother Zhao's martial arts skills were indeed among the best of the third-generation disciples of the Quanzhen Sect. However, this man was narrow-minded; although he could not be considered extremely wicked, he had never realized his own weakness. It was precisely for this reason that his senior uncles and senior masters had always refused to send him down the mountain for training. Yet, he himself remained completely unaware of these things.
Ouyang Ke, who was not far away, heard this and his expression became somewhat strange.
Having memories of his past life, he naturally knew the personalities of these two men. Especially Zhao Zhijing, who was narrow-minded and arrogant. During the time of The Return of the Condor Heroes, Guo Jing brought Yang Guo to pay their respects at the mountain, but because of some friction between the two sides, he felt that he had lost face in front of his fellow disciples. He then held a grudge and tormented Yang Guo in various ways to vent his personal anger.
This shows just how despicable this person's character is.
The other person is the famous Dragon Knight in The Return of the Condor Heroes. Although his martial arts talent was average, he was quite principled. Unfortunately, he later fell in love with Xiaolongnu and committed the crime of defiling her when she was acupunctured, which ultimately led to his disgrace.
If these two had only been badmouthing him behind his back, Ouyang Ke wouldn't have bothered. But since this man not only insulted him but also belittled his uncle, he couldn't stand by and watch.
He put down his wine glass and said calmly, "Arrogant and ignorant."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhijing and Yin Zhiping both looked over.
Zhao Zhijing's eyes flashed with displeasure, and he said in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that? Do you perhaps have some opinion about what we said?"
Ouyang Ke turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the two men before finally settling on Zhao Zhijing's face. He said slowly, "It's a pity that the great name of Master Chongyang was so prestigious, and he was such a hero. But unexpectedly, his descendants are unfilial, producing such an ignorant wretch as you."
"How dare you!"
Zhao Zhijing and Yin Zhiping's expressions changed simultaneously, and they abruptly stood up.
Upon hearing this, the other diners in the restaurant also looked up, their faces showing disbelief.
Since the founding of the Quanzhen Sect by Master Chongyang, people throughout the land, regardless of whether they practiced martial arts or not, have always treated its disciples with utmost respect. Even the most ruthless figures in the underworld showed some deference to the Seven Masters of Quanzhen. Who has ever seen anyone dare to openly insult a Quanzhen Sect disciple like this?
Yin Zhiping, being more composed, suppressed his anger and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Yin Zhiping of the Quanzhen Sect. May I ask who you are...?"
Seeing that Ouyang Ke could hear their hushed conversation and dared to speak rudely despite knowing their identities, he realized that Ouyang Ke clearly had something to rely on. It was best to find out who this person was first.
Ouyang Ke smiled slightly, but his gaze turned cold: "Who am I? You two are not qualified to ask."
He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, staring directly at Zhao Zhijing, and said, word by word, "Even if your master, Wang Chuyi, were here in person, he would never dare to speak so arrogantly in front of me. The Quanzhen School truly has quite the air of authority!"
Seeing that this man looked to be only in his early twenties yet dared to be so arrogant, Zhao Zhijing was immediately enraged and shouted, "Call me to meet you!"
Before he finished speaking, he crossed his palms and unleashed a "Mountain-Turning and Sea-Crossing" move straight at Ouyang Ke's chest. This move was the essence of the Quanzhen School's "Frost-Treading and Ice-Breaking Palm Technique," with powerful palm force and overwhelming momentum, clearly demonstrating that he had mastered its essence.
"Senior brother, no!" Yin Zhiping hurriedly called out to stop.
But before he could finish speaking, Zhao Zhijing had already obediently stopped in front of Ouyang Ke, without moving an inch.
Yin Zhiping was startled and suspicious. He took a closer look and immediately gasped.
Ouyang Ke sat motionless, his right hand still holding a wine cup, leisurely drinking. But the chopsticks in his left hand had somehow landed on the pulse point of Zhao Zhijing's right palm.
Zhao Zhijing's face flushed red, and veins bulged on his forehead. He had clearly tried his best to break free, but he couldn't. The ordinary bamboo chopstick was now pressing down on his hand like a mountain, and it didn't budge.
"With your meager martial arts skills, you dare to boast about fighting others?" Ouyang Ke sneered upon seeing this.
He loosened his grip on his right hand, and the chopsticks scattered.
Zhao Zhijing felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He took several steps back and looked at Ouyang Ke with a mixture of shock and anger.
Ouyang Ke glanced at the two of them and said calmly, "You two can come at me together. Otherwise, if word gets out, your Quanzhen Sect will say that I am bullying the weak."
Although Yin Zhiping was unwilling to take action, how could he sit idly by and watch his fellow disciple be humiliated? He and Zhao Zhijing exchanged a glance, both knowing that the person in front of them was a formidable enemy, and dared not underestimate him in the slightest.
The two men drew their swords simultaneously, the blades flashing like rainbows. Yin Zhiping said in a deep voice, "Excuse me!"
Before the words were even finished, the two of them drew their swords simultaneously!
Zhao Zhijing thrust his sword straight at Ouyang Ke's vital point, his strike fierce and ruthless; Yin Zhiping thrust his sword towards Ouyang Ke's center, his sword aura chilling. The two attacked from above and below, their coordination impeccable, clearly indicating they had practiced together frequently.
Zhao Zhijing was even more pleased with himself—he had already realized that Ouyang Ke was immobile and in a wheelchair, making it difficult for him to dodge. This attack from both above and below would surely force him into a corner!
However, just as he was secretly pleased with himself, his vision suddenly blurred.
Ouyang Ke has vanished from his seat!
The next moment, Zhao Zhijing felt a tremendous force coming from behind, and he involuntarily fell forward, face down, and crashed heavily to the ground.
Yin Zhiping also collapsed with him.
The two men, one on each side, lay prone on the ground with their buttocks facing the sky, in an extremely disheveled position.
Ouyang Ke remained seated, as if he had never moved. He looked at the two lying on the ground and couldn't help but smile slightly, saying leisurely, "As expected of a high-ranking disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, to be able to receive my 'Buttocks Backwards, Wild Geese Descending on the Sand' move so smoothly is truly wonderful."
There was a moment of silence in the restaurant, then someone couldn't help but burst out laughing.
The laughter was clear and melodious, like the sound of silver bells; it was clearly a woman's voice.
Ouyang Ke glanced out of the corner of his eye at the figure wearing a bamboo hat in the corner. The laughter stopped abruptly, and the woman lowered her head slightly, as if to hide something.
He looked away, not paying any attention.
Zhao Zhijing and Yin Zhiping were dazed and confused from the fall, struggling to get up. Hearing Ouyang Ke's mockery, Zhao Zhijing became even more enraged, his face turning bright red.
However, the next moment, all the color drained from his face.
He felt his dantian was completely empty; the little bit of true essence he had cultivated over twenty years of hard work had vanished!
"You...you crippled my martial arts?" Zhao Zhijing pointed at Ouyang Ke, his voice trembling and almost incoherent.
Ouyang Ke picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and said indifferently, "With your mediocre martial arts skills, it's better to just let you go. Keeping you around would only bring shame to the Quanzhen Sect."
"You..." Zhao Zhijing's eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot from anger.
Yin Zhiping quickly helped Zhao Zhijing up, feeling something strange in his own body as well—a dull ache in his kidney meridian, as if it were damaged. His heart sank, but he suppressed his anger and asked politely, "Your martial arts are superb; would you be willing to leave your name?"
Ouyang Ke put down his wine glass and smiled slightly: "My surname is Ouyang, and my given name is Ke."
"So you're Ouyang Ke!" Yin Zhiping's expression changed drastically.
At this point, he finally understood why this person had been so sarcastic and mocking towards the two of them.
He said no more, and helped the unconscious Zhao Zhijing, stumbling away from the restaurant.
Ouyang Ke watched the two figures disappear into the distance, a slight smile playing on his lips.
He taught the two men a lesson for two reasons: first, Zhao Zhijing had spoken arrogantly and insulted his uncle; second, he knew better than anyone what Yin Zhiping would do in the future. Now that he had injured his kidney meridian, he would be unable to have sex again and thus be unable to do such wicked and innocent things.
To be precise, he actually preserved the reputation of the Quanzhen Sect.
He put down his wine glass and said to the driver surnamed Liu, "Let's go."
The driver quickly got up and pushed the wheelchair out.
Behind him, the woman in the straw hat in the corner watched him leave, and only stood up after the white-clad figure disappeared through the doorway.
She took a piece of silver from her sleeve, placed it on the table, and said to the still-dazed waiter, "Shopkeeper, check please."
The sound was clear and melodious, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.
The waiter then came to his senses and hurriedly responded. The woman turned and walked towards the door. A gust of wind blew, lifting the light veil on her hat and revealing half of her face.
The waiter only glanced at it before freezing in place.
It was a face of breathtaking beauty.
Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting. Although she was young, her future beauty was already evident. Especially her eyes, which were clear and bright, and when they moved, they showed both the innocence of a young girl and a deepness that was beyond her years.
She was about fifteen or sixteen years old, but her beauty was breathtaking.
The waiter stared blankly at her retreating figure until it disappeared outside the door. It took him a long time to come to his senses before he murmured, "So beautiful..."
The woman walked out of the restaurant, watching the departing carriage, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"This guy's martial arts... are quite interesting."
No one knew the disciples and followers of the Quanzhen Sect better than her, but seeing that person easily defeat those old disciples of the Quanzhen Sect while chatting and laughing naturally aroused her curiosity.
She murmured to herself, then lightly stepped forward, her figure flashing like a fleeting shadow, and followed the carriage in the direction it had gone, neither too fast nor too slow.
P.S.: This book is probably the slowest-paced one I've ever written. I suddenly had the idea to write a book about Ouyang Ke, and that's how I started writing it!