Chapter 57: The Cuishan Couple

  Winter has gone and spring has come, flowers have fallen and opened, in a flash several years have passed, Wudang Mountain is bustling again.

  Yin Liting and Ji Xiaofu were deeply in love after marriage. A year later, they had a daughter named "Zhumo" (literally "red ink"), nicknamed "Zhuer".

  At that time, the mountain was bustling with excitement. Song Qing Shu clapped his hands and said that he finally had a junior sister, and was no longer the smallest in the Ghost Hell Sect.

  Yao Guang never descended the mountain again after that time, and the events of that day became a secret between her and Ji Xiao Fu. In the Jianghu, there were no rumors about it, and many people still did not know that besides the Seven Heroes of Wudang, there was another disciple under Zhang Sanfeng's tutelage. As Yao Guang grew older, sometimes when Song Yuanqiao was busy with internal affairs, the disciples would come to ask for her advice. In this way, the matters within the sect gradually became divided into two groups: major decisions were made by Song Yuanqiao, while minor and trivial matters were all handled by Yao Guang.

  Because of this, Song Yuanqiao gradually withdrew from the affairs of the sect and spent several months each year traveling in Jianghu. The seven heroes of Wudang were like brothers, and over the years, even when Zhang Cuishan was not around, they only reported under the name "Wudang Seven Heroes". As a result of Song Yuanqiao and Yu Lianzhou's great progress in martial arts, they accomplished many chivalrous deeds, and their reputation in Jianghu was no less than that of several senior monks from Shaolin. Some old demons and clowns would flee at the mere mention of the name "Wudang Seven Heroes".

  It's now February 3rd, and the snow on Mount Wudang has gradually melted away, revealing a hint of tender green new buds on the branches.

  Song Qing Shu held a peach wood sword on the snowy peak, making one move after another, although no one was supervising him, he didn't dare to slack off in the slightest.

  Now he has been learning sword for three years, and the sword in his hand is also the third time that Yao Guang has sharpened it. He only learned the seventh move of the San Cai Swordsmanship, but got stuck on the eighth move for half a year and couldn't make progress no matter what. Every time he practiced to that move, he would get stuck, which made the few masters watching from the side feel somewhat unbearable.

  Song Yuanqiao asked Yao Guang, is there any trick in this move?

  Yao Guang replied: A book read a thousand times will reveal its meaning by itself; a sword is no different.

  Song Qing Shu remembered this conversation firmly in her heart, practicing every day without any slack, and also being extra diligent when reciting books and copying writings. She made up her mind that after Xiao Shi Shu came out of seclusion, she would definitely give her a surprise.

  No mistake, at this moment Yao Guang is not beside supervising Song Qing Shu because she is in closed cultivation.

  From Zhang Sanfeng's ninety-fifth birthday onwards, he would go into seclusion for nine months every year.

  Zhang Sanfeng once said that the martial arts of Wudang Sect mainly came from a book called "Jiuyang True Classic". He regretted that when he was young, his ancestor Master Jueyuan transmitted the true classic to him, but at that time, he was too young and didn't know any martial arts. Master Jueyuan also didn't intentionally transmit it to him, so the sect's martial arts had always been flawed. He thought that since he wasn't fully knowledgeable about the "Jiuyang True Classic", couldn't he create his own school of martial arts? Therefore, every year he would close himself off and think deeply, trying to establish his own school of martial arts.

  As the first generation master of Zhang Sanfeng, he doesn't need any achievements to add to his glory. He has such ambition and grand aspirations, which can be said to be for Wudang to leave a root of ultimate learning, and secondly, it can be said that it is to make up for a past regret.

  Zhang Sanfeng had this idea, which wasn't formed overnight. Since he founded the sect, he has always thought about it and felt uneasy. In his youth, what he learned was not enough to create a new school of martial arts, so he could only put it aside. As he grew older, Wudang Sect gained popularity, and his seven excellent disciples were all talented individuals who would surely promote the sect's development. This idea resurfaced again. Later, when he accepted Xue Zhu as his last disciple at the age of 85, he saw that his young disciple had created an unparalleled lightness skill and mastered a subtle sword technique. With this burden lifted, he felt invigorated and thought to himself: "If my junior disciples can achieve what their predecessors couldn't, why can't I?" This is how he came to practice closed-door meditation every year.

  Zhang Sanfeng's closed door affair was known to all in the sect, and Yao Guang heard about it after a long time of contemplation. The following year, he also started closing his door, saying that he wanted to create a new sword technique.

  Everyone in the Wudang Sect thought that Yao Guang was a natural-born genius, creating the Three Talents and Two Instruments, two perfect and unparalleled sword techniques. However, only she herself knew that these two sword techniques were not created by her, but rather passed down by her predecessors. She had undeservedly taken credit for them, which made her uncomfortable. When she learned that her teacher, who was nearly a hundred years old, still had the ambition to innovate and create something new, her heart was stirred like a bell being struck. Her teacher wanted to establish a martial art that had never been seen before, and Yao Guang herself had not superficially studied swordsmanship, acknowledging that she was not inferior to others. So why couldn't she create a sword technique to pass down to future generations?

  As a result, every year there are always two people, one old and one young, who go into seclusion on Mount Wudang. At present, it just so happens that they are in the midst of their seclusion, and Song Qingyu is alone practicing martial arts, practicing swordplay, and copying scriptures and classics.

  That year, Zhang Cuishan disappeared after the Tianying Sect's Wang Panshan Island Knife Conference, and many masters in Jianghu fell on the island. Due to the involvement of the Tulong Treasure Sword, the major sects of Zhongyuan had clashed with the Tianying Sect multiple times over the years. Although the Tianying Sect was at a disadvantage each time, its leader Yin Tianding managed to hold on despite being surrounded, and he was indeed a remarkable figure of his generation.

  At the beginning of the year, Yu Lianzhou heard that the Tianying Sect planned to send a ship out to sea to search for the Golden Lion King Xie Xun. Thinking of his fifth brother Zhang Cuishan's disappearance many years ago, he decided to investigate and rushed to the coast. Coincidentally, he arrived just in time to catch up with the Emei Sect, Qingcheng Sect, and Kunlun Sect clashing with the Tianying Sect. He couldn't stand by and do nothing, so he jumped onto the Tianying Sect's ship and started fighting along with the others.

  It wasn't long after everyone had started fighting that a small raft appeared out of the sea, and Yu Lianzhu heard someone on the boat shouting loudly: "We have legitimate business to attend to, so unrelated guests should leave!"

  Before long, a voice came from the sea, surprisingly it was a young woman's clear and melodious voice, reciting something with a certain tone.

  "The sun and moon shine brightly, the heavenly eagle spreads its wings, the sacred flame burns fiercely, benefiting all people. This is the main hall of the Tong Master. Which altar is burning incense and offering fire?"

  The man on the boat immediately replied with respect: "Tian Shi Tang Li Dazhu, leading Qing Long Tan Cheng Dazhu and Shen She Tan Feng Dazhu, are here. Is Tian Wei Tang Yin Dazhu arriving?"

  Yu Lianzhou felt a slight unease in his heart, thinking that if Yin Ye Wang came to their aid, although he would be safe and sound, he was somewhat worried about the Kunlun and Emei disciples on the ship. In recent years, Yin Ye Wang's reputation had risen rapidly, with a momentum that seemed to surpass even the blue sky. If he were to come, Yu Lianzhou feared that they might not be able to continue fighting with all their might. With this thought in mind, he held back three parts of his strength and deliberately observed his surroundings, seeking an opportunity to escape.

  The woman on the sea shouted: "Master of Ziwei Hall."

  The Tianying Sect's ship suddenly became chaotic, and Yu Lianzhou was greatly surprised. He thought to himself that it must be Yin Ye Wang who had arrived, but the people of the Tianying Sect were only joyful, why would they be so panicked? Before long, Yu Lianzhou understood why - more than a dozen people on the ship shouted in unison "Miss Yin is back! Miss Yin is back!", his heart moved, could it be that someone in the Tianying Sect had gone missing for many years and suddenly returned, otherwise why would they react like this?

  At this moment, an old voice on the boat said: "I heard that the master of our sect's daughter, Yin girl, is back. Why don't we stop fighting for now?"

  This shout carried his inner energy, with a full and sonorous tone, so that even on the sea, everyone could hear it.

  Yu Lianzhou's heart was in agreement with his intention, so he raised his voice and shouted: "Good! Everyone stop!"

  Yu Lianzhou was renowned in the Wulin Orthodox School, and when he shouted "Stop!", all the orthodox school members stopped fighting. The old man, who seemed to be a high-ranking member of the Tianying Sect, heard the sound of clashing weapons on the boat cease at once, and the people who were fighting scattered.

  He was just about to step forward and mediate when he suddenly heard a loud shout from the surface of the sea.

  "Is it Yu Lianzhou, Yu Shige?"

  Yu Lianzhou's heart was greatly shocked, this time he came down the mountain without his fellow disciples, and several of his fellow disciples would not normally address him in such a manner, yet they called out his full name as if afraid of mistaking him for someone else. His mind racing, he immediately thought of Zhang Cuishan who had gone missing ten years ago, and hastily shouted loudly: "I am Yu Lianzhou... you... you..."

  He wanted to ask "who are you", but under the excitement, he couldn't even say this sentence, a thousand words were stuck in his throat, as if he didn't dare to believe.

  Another loud shout came from the sea and was heard by Yu Lianzhou as if it were a heavenly music.

  "Little Brother Zhang Cuishan!"

  Zhang Cuishan!

  Younger brother!

  Yu Lianzhou rushed forward, only to see a young man jumping onto the boat. The two men's eyes met, and they were both shocked. They grasped each other's hands, one calling out "Second Brother!" and the other "Fifth Younger Brother!". Then, with tears in their eyes, they couldn't say another word.

  Two brothers, not seen for ten years, now finally reunited. The joy and excitement, who can understand? Although men have tears that are not easily shed, at this moment the two of them couldn't care less, tightly holding each other's hands, only feeling like there were countless things they wanted to tell each other, but their throats trembled so much that no sound could come out.

  The people of the Heavenly Eagle Sect learned that it was Yin Susu in the sea, and they quickly put down the rope to guide her. Before long, Yin Susu brought Zhang Wuji onto the boat, where she saw a tall and thin man in his forties holding hands with Zhang Cuishan, their manner extremely affectionate. She knew at once that this must be the "Yue Shigong" whom Zhang Cuishan had called out to earlier.

  After both sides had introduced themselves, it turned out that he was indeed the first emperor of Great Qin.

  Yu Lianzhou and Li Tianyuan were both shocked.

  The Tianying Sect and the Wudang Sect are fighting desperately, but unexpectedly, each side has an important figure who is a couple, not only a couple, but also have children.

  Yu Lianzhou knew that it was impossible to explain the ins and outs of the matter clearly in a short time, so for now he would introduce Zhang Cuishan to everyone on the boat.

  Although many people have the heart to ask Zhang Cuishan and his wife about the whereabouts of Xie Xun and the Dragon Slaying Sword, at this time, with the protection of the Tianying Sect and Yu Lianzhou on the scene, after a verbal argument, the Congtong, Kunlun, and Emei factions all had to reluctantly retreat with resentment.

  Yu Lianzhou knew that this matter was tricky and could only be temporarily suppressed. He thought to himself that he would wait until he saw his senior brother and master before making a decision, but in reality, he had already made up his mind. Along the way, if anyone came to make things difficult for his fifth junior brother, even if it meant risking his own life, he would protect him and his family at all costs. Thinking about the possible dangers on the road ahead, he couldn't help but think that it would be better if there were a few more senior brothers accompanying him on this trip, but who knew that they would actually encounter his fifth junior brother? It was truly an arrangement made by heaven, unpredictable and unforeseen.

  That night, the moon was white and the wind was clear. Yu Lianzhou and Zhang Cuishan couple were drinking wine and appreciating the moon at the bow of the boat, talking about the major events in the Central Plains martial arts world in recent years. The two couples who had been overseas for many years listened with rapt attention.

  Zhang Cuishan suddenly said, "Master's 100th birthday is approaching, and I can catch up with this rare grand event in the martial arts world. Heaven has indeed been kind to me."

  Yin Su sighed: "It's just a pity that in the rush, we didn't have time to prepare a good birthday gift for him."

  Yu Lianzhou grasped Zhang Cuishan's shoulder firmly and said, "Now that my fifth brother has returned safely, the birthday gift for Master is more important than anything else."

  The two brothers exchanged a smile, and their hearts felt warm.

  How many years has it been since they walked side by side like brothers?

  Now that we can reunite, what's the point of being afraid?

  Zhang Cuishan thought of his fellow disciples and asked, "I'm not worried about you few senior brothers, but I don't know how Sixth Brother, Seventh Brother, and Little Junior Sister are doing now? Little Junior Sister is exceptionally talented, and in these years, she must have brought joy to Master's heart. Whenever I think of this, I feel guilty for causing Master and all of you senior brothers to worry, which is really not right."

  Yu Lianzhou shook his head and said, "Fifth brother is also too seeing the outside. If the missing person were me, wouldn't you be worried? Since that's the case, there's no need to say more. Little Shifu...” He was originally a man who didn't speak carelessly or show emotions on his face, but at this moment, thinking of Little Shifu, he couldn't help but smile and continue, "Little Shifu is doing very well now, she must be able to inherit Master's legacy. Fifth brother will probably be greatly shocked when he sees Little Shifu."

  Zhang Cuishan was taken aback, then smiled and said: "Indeed... ten years ago my junior sister was already extremely intelligent, I suppose today she has made some progress."

  Yu Lianzhou said: "Slightly accomplished? Fifth brother, do you know that now on Wudang Mountain, the number one martial artist is Master, and who is the second?"

  "Among the seven of us brothers, Second Brother's martial arts skills have always been the best. Ten years haven't changed that, and now I'm even more inferior. Alas, having received ten years of teaching from our master, I've retreated to a lower seat."

  At this point, he had an idea and opened his eyes to look at Yu Lianzhu, thinking that the second brother's question was not asking if the second one should be Xiao Shizhi?

  Yu Lianzhou smiled and said, "I'm not talented, although I work hard, it's limited. Among our sect, those who are proficient in both literature and martial arts, and have mastered the sword technique, aside from my junior sister, there is no one else to consider. If I were to fight against my junior sister, I would probably only last twenty or thirty moves. Luckily, she is in seclusion now, otherwise if she were here, even if hundreds of people from Emei, Kunlun, and Qingcheng were to attack together, my senior brother and junior sister would definitely be able to protect you three safely. Tomorrow, I will send a message back to the mountain and have our sect members come to escort you, so you don't need to worry."

  Zhang Cuishan had seen Yao Guang's natural talent before, so although he was surprised, he could still believe it.

  Yin Susu was somewhat skeptical and thought to herself that when she arrived at Wudang Mountain, she would take a good look at what kind of person could be praised by Yu Lianzhou as "having swordsmanship that communicates with the gods".

  The author has something to say: Zhang Cuishan is back! It's almost Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday, hahaha!

  This chapter is Chapter 57. The address of the Cui Shan couple is: If you think this chapter is not bad, please don't forget to recommend it to your friends on QQ group and Weibo!