Chapter 161: Ying Er and Xia Lin

  Kong Hou took me to see the long-separated Master Yichen when he was studying the fourth layer of the Wudang Heart Method, which is said to be created by Nan Gong Qianlan, called Ru Hua Jing.

  Yi Chen was completely absorbed in the heart method and didn't notice our arrival, so I had to call out: "Master Shibo, disciple Jin Cang has arrived."

  Yi Chen raised his head and glanced at me, then lowered it again to continue studying the heart method. I frowned secretly, turned my head to look at Kong Xiang, and said in a low voice: "Shifu's expression doesn't seem right!"

  Kong Shou let out a sigh: "Your master is possessed, now he has no interest in anything except this technique."

  I said: "That's not okay, you know, if this goes on for a long time, it's really easy to get possessed."

  "So that's why I brought you here, I want you to help me persuade your Shifu. You also saw it, your Shifu is now on the verge of demonic possession, and if she's not careful, she'll truly become a demon."

  I anxiously reached out and grabbed Yiduan's arm, saying loudly: "Master Shibo, I'm Jin Cang! I've come to see you!"

  My voice was very loud and I secretly used true energy to increase the volume, so my words were almost like thunder, echoing in all directions.

  Yi Chen seemed to be startled by me, almost instinctively raising his head to look at me. Then he was dazed for a while, and after a long time, he said with a straight face: "What's the point of shouting so loudly? I'm not deaf!"

  I see Yichen has already broken free from his heart method, so I smiled and said: "Master Shibo, please forgive your disciple for being rude!"

  Yi Chen seemed to have thought of something and smiled awkwardly: "You little devil helped me... I was wrong to blame you!"

  I laughed: "Master Shibo was able to break free, it's really a stroke of luck! From now on, don't worry too much about entering the state of mind with this technique. Remember that everything can't be forced!"

  Yi Chen nodded, not getting angry because I was his disciple, but instead smiled and patted me on the shoulder, saying: "It's my fault for being too stubborn, thinking that as long as I worked harder, I could definitely succeed in cultivating this heart method to the Hua Jing realm... Jin Cang, you're back just in time, this fourth layer of the heart method, I think you can try it too."

  Yi Chen handed me a small notebook he had copied by hand, smiling and saying: "You are my eldest disciple in Wudang, you should be the first to cultivate!"

  I turned back to look at Kong Shou, and I didn't know whether I should accept the fourth layer of Xin Fa's secret manual that Yi Chen handed over to me.

  Kongshou smiled and said, "Originally, I didn't want to pass on the fourth layer of this technique to you, because you don't seem like a disciple of our Wudang at all, and you haven't taken any responsibility. However, since your Shibo has already spoken out, I won't insist on my original intention either. You can start cultivating now!"

  I smiled and then Yichen gave me a secret book: "Master, I will try my best to cultivate successfully, please don't worry!"

  Kong Shou laughed and said: "This is something I don't worry about, but there's one thing, you little brat, you really need to think carefully about it!"

  "I was puzzled: 'Master, what are you referring to?'"

  "Come on, it's your personal problem! You're not getting any younger, and although you've got a bunch of girlfriends, I haven't seen you really be with anyone. As for me... Qianlan, what are you planning to do with her? If you keep dragging this out, it won't be good for either of you."

  My face turned slightly red and I said in a low voice, "Master, why did you suddenly bring this up? I...I'm still considering it, you know, the person I like the most..."

  Kong Shou interrupted me, saying: "I know you like Chen Jing a bit more, and that Li Huanhuan... anyway, you're not a worry-free kid, with many girlfriends! These I can ignore, but Qianlan, you absolutely cannot let her get hurt, or else I won't forgive you first!"

  I forced a smile, feeling speechless. This blind date is completely arranged by my parents, what can I do? If he weren't my teacher, I could directly reject his proposal, but he just happens to be my teacher!

  I'm in a difficult situation, but Yichen is really considering me. He directly said to Kong Shou: "You're already at this age, don't interfere with young people's emotional problems."

  Kong Shou had great respect for Yi Chen, and upon hearing his words, he hastily said: "Elder brother, you don't know that Jin Cang now has several excellent girls by his side. I'm worried that he'll change his heart and cause many people to be heartbroken..."

  Yi Chen frowned and said: "What's going on here? Who are these people around Jin Cang?"

  Kong Shou laughed and said: "As far as I know, this kid now has a girl named Ying'er by his side. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also a modern-day princess. Jin Cang must have already been captivated by her. And then there's Xia Lin, who I hear is one of the leaders of an organization called 'Female God'. Jin Cang even broke the law for her, it seems she's also one of his close friends."

  I couldn't help but smile wryly, yet I didn't know how to explain it. I certainly couldn't reveal the orders I received from Old Chen, could I? That was a secret, and even if it was just Kong You or Yi Chen, I still couldn't casually mention it.

  So I remained silent, and Kong Yu thought that I really had a crush on Ying Er and Xia Lin, so he continued to say: "This kid is originally a flirtatious person, with a bunch of girlfriends by his side. Now adding Ying Er and Xia Lin, if Qian Lan finds out, she won't be angry? Previously when Jin Cang found several girlfriends, if I hadn't persuaded her with all my might, Qian Lan would have been angry already!

  I wanted to explain this matter, but thinking that I am carrying the task entrusted by Old Chen, it's not convenient for me to say more, so I'd better remain silent.

  Although my task is now considered complete, this task has confidentiality, so I still have to strictly keep the secret.

  Yi Chen looked at me with some surprise: "You little guy is really... I'll give you credit, you're much more capable than me and your master, you've hooked up with so many girls in one go, and they're all so beautiful! Impressive..."

  I bitterly smiled and said: "Master Bo, don't mock me anymore. I'm at a loss as to how to face this matter now. How can you still have the heart to tease me?"

  Yi Chen laughed and said, "A real man should dare to take responsibility for his actions. I think you'd better be honest with your girlfriends about what you've done, and see how they react. That will show whether they truly love you or not."

  I was puzzled: "I didn't quite understand what you just said!"

  Yi Chen said seriously, "What's not to understand? If your girlfriends really love you, they won't care if you have many wives. On the contrary, they will take the initiative to leave you."

  I suddenly realized and then laughed: "It seems that Master Shibo, you must have had similar experiences when you were young, otherwise, you wouldn't say such classic words."

  Yi Chen's old face turned red, and he was actually quite embarrassed.

  I couldn't help but burst out laughing, and even Kong Shou started laughing too, though he didn't make a sound.

  Yi Chen sneered and said: "You little brat, how dare you be disrespectful to me? Watch me kick you out!" He said he would hit me, and indeed he really took action against me.

  Yi Chen's kung fu is in the same realm as mine, but his combat experience is much richer than mine, so I was caught off guard and hit all at once.

  But Yichen wouldn't think of hurting me, so when he struck, it was still very measured, only knocking me back without harming me.

  I knew that Yitian was trying to test my kung fu skills, so I focused all my attention on making a move and fought him back.

  Kong Shou closely followed us, seemingly worried that we would accidentally hurt each other. Yichen and I are both from Wudang, so if an accidental injury were to occur, it would be a great loss.

  Luckily, my kung fu is from the same school as his, so he's very familiar with every move I make. I'm also equally familiar with his moves, so we've been fighting for a long time and it's still a tie.

  This has something to do with me being younger, Yitian is already old, although he has rich combat experience, but there's no way he can defeat a young person like me.

  So in the end, it was Yidun who stopped first. He shouted: "Jin Cang, you little brat want to exhaust me to death? I'm an old man... can't do it anymore, stop fighting, stop fighting."

  Kong Shou took a few steps forward, looking somewhat worried as he asked Yi Chen, "Elder brother, are you alright? Jin Cang is young, why did you and him fight for so long? You could have taken him down with one move."

  Yi Chen laughed and said, "One move? We've exchanged over a hundred moves already, and I still haven't taken down Jin Cang. Let alone one move! Although Jin Cang's kung fu hasn't improved much, his combat experience is quite rich, and he can engage in a head-on battle with me without losing. That's definitely commendable. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing how he'll perform after cultivating the fourth layer of the Heart Method. Hopefully, by then our Wudang Sect will become the leader of the martial arts world."

  Kong Hou nodded: "If Jin Cang can cultivate with peace of mind, I think he will definitely be able to successfully cultivate. However, this kid has come to see us on a mission and will leave in a few days. Moreover, he brought several beautiful girls with him, just looking at him, he doesn't have the heart to cultivate... So whether he can successfully cultivate the fourth layer of Heart Method, I have my doubts."

  I smiled and said: "Master, rest assured, I will calm down and practice diligently. At the very least, I must have practiced this fourth layer of the Heart Method before leaving here."

  Kong Shou seemed somewhat surprised and said in a bewildered tone: "Aren't you anxious to return to your girlfriend?"

  I smiled wryly and said: "I'll cultivate first, and after I've made progress, I'll go find them."

  Kong Shou smiled and then pulled Yi Chen aside, saying loudly: "Then you can start your closed-door training here, I and your Shifu will take care of those friends of yours."

  I was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Disciple obeys."

  Kong Shou and Yi Chen Yang left, leaving me alone in the courtyard of what should be Yi Chen's residence. I knew that if I didn't cultivate the fourth layer of this technique, Kong Shou wouldn't let me leave, so I calmed down and started to study the fourth layer of this technique.

  Before, Kong Shou said I wasn't allowed to cultivate and practice the Heart Method, but now Yidun has given me the Heart Method Secret Book, and Kong Shou hasn't said anything to stop me. I'm actually quite surprised.

  The Heart Sutra is not very long, only about 10,000 words. Moreover, they are all easy to understand modern texts, and there is no difficulty in reading them. Judging from the handwriting, this should be Nan Gong Qian Lan's handwriting.

  I had to read it five times before I could memorize all the words, which is something that would have been impossible for me in the past. In the past, even with classical Chinese texts, I could remember them completely after just two readings. It seems my memory has deteriorated a lot compared to before, and I don't know if it's because I've been too busy lately, or if it's because I'm still recovering from an injury and feeling physically and mentally exhausted, which is why I couldn't memorize the incantation.

  The mnemonic of the heart method has been remembered, and the remaining things are just following the routine to cultivate. So for almost a month, I didn't leave this yard half a step, and I've been cultivating here all along.

  To be honest, the fourth layer of this mental technique is really not easy to cultivate. I've been working hard for a month, almost exhausting myself, but my progress has not been fast, and I can only barely catch a glimpse of the entrance.

  Kong Shou and Yi Chen would occasionally drop by to check on my progress, but they'd leave disappointed time and again, growing increasingly impatient. They started coming less often as well.

  I know I'm not very suitable for cultivation, and many times I couldn't satisfy them, so now I can only work harder to cultivate successfully.

  It was also because of this consideration that after taking the old mountain ginseng given by Kong Xuan, my body recovered and I continued to stay in Wudang Sect to cultivate. The effect of the old mountain ginseng is very good, now my body has fully recovered, even those previous injuries have been cured.

  Originally, Kong Shou was supposed to let Nan Gong Qian Lan help me decoct this old ginseng, but Nan Gong Qian Lan was suddenly taken away by Sun Heng, so the one helping me with the medicine changed to an older female junior fellow apprentice. I don't know what this junior fellow apprentice's name is, I only heard Kong Shou call her "Feng Er" when he shouted for her. Feng Er not only helped me decoct the medicine but also took care of my daily life, helping me with things like serving meals and fetching water.

  With Feng'er's help, I have no worries about food and clothing, and can focus on cultivating my skills. So now I basically don't pay attention to anything outside, and just focus on practicing Wudangquan.

  Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, I've been stuck inside Wudang for another half month. Counting it up, it's already been a month and a half since I returned to Wudang. My cultivation hasn't made any progress, but my heart is getting anxious. Thinking about returning to Hu Long Shi, I couldn't calm down to cultivate, so I decided to temporarily stop cultivating.

  As I walked out of Master Yidun's courtyard, I saw a Phoenix Fairy sister who was taking care of me practicing her martial skills. Her movements were quite good, and it seemed that she had already reached the entry level of the Heart Method realm.

  When she saw me come out, Feng'er said subconsciously: "Big Brother Master, are you hungry? I'll go to the kitchen to cook rice now..."

  I shook my head and smiled, "I want to see Master, not because I'm hungry." After a pause, I said, "Junior Sister, thank you for taking care of me during this time. I plan to leave temporarily, so from today on, Junior Sister, you can focus wholeheartedly on your cultivation and don't need to come over to take care of me anymore."

  Feng'er smiled: "Thank you for your kind intentions, Big Brother. However, I am responsible for taking care of my master Yichen, so I will still come every day."

  I nodded: "In that case, I'll leave then."

  Feng'er smiled and said: "Big Brother Master, slow down."

  I bid farewell to Feng'er and arrived at the empty abode, just as I was about to knock on the door, I heard someone speaking: "Master, please let me see Jin Cang! I beg of you!"

  This voice is not Nan Gong Qian Lan's, nor is it Ying Er and Liu Mei who came with me, or Qin Zhen Zhen. I thought carefully about it, and now this voice seems to be very similar to Xia Lin, who was left beside Wang Mu before.

  My heart was inexplicably excited, I reached out to knock on the door and then directly pushed it open. In the empty room, five people were standing in a row. Kong Shou was looking at these five people in front of him, seemingly considering something.

  I saw at a glance that these five people were Ying'er, Liu Mei, Qin Zhenzhen, Xia Lin, and another one who had spoken to me, Sima Yihao.

  Kong Shou's face showed a hint of helplessness when he saw me: "You little brat, since you've come, then go solve your own problems yourself!"

  I walked over with a smile, bowed to the empty space, then turned around and said to Ying'er and the others: "Do you all want to see me?"

  Xia Lin said excitedly: "Yes, we haven't seen you for several months... are you okay?"

  I looked at her and saw that she seemed a bit excited, so I smiled and said: "So you also care about me? It seems I didn't save you in vain!" After a pause, remembering the purpose of my visit to see Kong Shou this time, I said to Kong Shou: "Master, I'm going back to Hu Long Shi. This time's cultivation has almost no progress, so I want to go out and take a look, maybe there will be an opportunity for me to break through the current bottleneck."

  Kong Hou nodded slightly: "Then go to the Dragon Guard, and take a look at Qian Lan on the way. Let her guide you, maybe you'll really break through."

  I nodded, not having any thoughts because I needed Nan Gong Qian Lan's guidance. On the contrary, I was planning to go see Nan Gong Qian Lan and ask for her help. My martial arts talent is not good, it's hard to achieve anything by myself without someone guiding me.

  This is not about relying on others, but rather there's no other way around it.

  But if I continue to idle around, it would make me feel very awkward. Kong Shou said: "You don't know yet? Ying Er has been under my tutelage for less than two months and has already cultivated the first two layers of the Heart Method. And Xia Lin, that little girl is a freak-level genius, she's been under my tutelage for less than a month and has already created her own powerful lightness skill. You little brat, if you don't work harder, I think you really can't be our Wudang sect's Big Brother anymore."

  I stared at Jing'er and Xiaolin in shock, feeling as if I had been struck. Although Xiaolin was someone I had previously taught the method of cultivation to, her ability to independently create such a light skill showed just how high her innate talent for martial arts was.

  Ying'er, who was still a patient not long ago, actually cultivated the second realm of the Heart Method in just over a month. If this gets out, it's unknown what kind of storm it will stir up in the martial arts world.

  It seems that another genius has emerged from our Wudang school.

  I feel a bit down, but also some excitement. After all, these geniuses are all disciples of our Wudang sect, and it can be said that they have strengthened the power of our Wudang sect.

  Kong Xuan saw that I was somewhat disheartened, and said: "Don't worry too much, I just want to let you know that our Wudang sect has undergone great changes now, it's no longer the sparse and weak Wudang of the past."

  I nodded: "The disciple understands the master's kindness...... The disciple will work hard."

  Kong Shou listened to what I said and finally smiled, with a hint of relief on his face.