The Zhongnan Sect (終南派) is one of the renowned sword schools (劍派) among the Nine Sects and One Gang (九派一幇). Although it might be slightly inferior to the Qingcheng and Huashan Sects, its status in southern Shaanxi was as high as the sky. No one in the martial world would dispute that it was a prestigious school, having produced countless top martial artists throughout its history and possessing numerous outstanding techniques.
A major sect that doesn't fall behind the Luoyang Twin Gates Clan I challenged before! While the Twin Gates Clan might confidently claim they don't fall behind the Nine Sects and One Gang within Luoyang, the Nine Sects are themselves continent-level entities renowned throughout the land. In terms of recognition and influence, the Nine Sects and One Gang are like Mount Tai (泰山), untouchable.
That's why I asked my senior brother in disbelief.
"Are you really challenging them here?"
"Junior brother, you've come all the way to Zhengguo and even unpacked your luggage at the inn. What are you talking about?"
Jin Shaoqing, who was savoring a warm cup of tea, chuckled.
"Don't worry. The Zhongnan Sect is a prestigious school and won't resort to underhanded tactics lightly."
"......"
We had arrived in Zhengguo Village. That meant we were right in front of Mount Zhongnan, the headquarters of the Zhongnan Sect.
I glanced at the peaks of Mount Zhongnan visible through the inn window. Since Mount Zhongnan wasn't particularly high, traces of buildings could be seen everywhere. The buildings of the Zhongnan Sect, one of the Nine Sects, must be there as well.
"I hope so."
I couldn't relax at all. The Iron Blood Sect was also classified as a righteous school, yet it had a history of decapitating wandering martial artists during sparring matches. After already being betrayed once, there was no guarantee that it wouldn't happen again. Seeing my worried expression, Jin Shaoqing said,
"Don't worry. If you're nervous, you don't have to participate this time. Master said that just observing would be enough."
"It's not nervousness, but concern..."
"Speak your mind clearly."
Sigh -
I sighed softly but then calmly replied,
"Of course, we should have a match. How could I miss such an opportunity?"
"Hahaha! Indeed, you have the spirit of a bold young man."
"......"
That's right. This is an opportunity that can't be missed even if it threatens my life. High-level martial artists were rare, and the chance to fight them was hard to come by. If I could gain practical combat experience with a high-level martial artist from one of the Nine Sects, it would be a golden opportunity. The thought of being surrounded and beaten by Zhongnan Sect experts was terrifying, but I decided to muster my courage.
'With this guy here, I should be able to escape if things get bad.'
I only complained now that we had reached Zhengguo Village because I fully trusted my senior brother Jin Shaoqing's abilities. No, it wasn't just trust; I had absolute confidence in him. Jin Shaoqing is a monster.
After resting for a while, Jin Shaoqing said,
"Since it's getting dark today, let's climb Mount Zhongnan at dawn tomorrow. How about dinner?"
"I like dumplings."
"Then let's go to the inn and have a proper meal."
Clatter...
While eating, I noticed people in Taoist robes (道服) or white clothes (白衣) wandering around the inn. They were likely related to the Zhongnan Sect or were its disciples. I tried to avoid any trouble with them and focused on eating. Jin Shaoqing seemed to share my thoughts, as he slowly savored the stir-fried vegetables.
Jin Shaoqing, while eating, brought up a topic.
"Your skills are the best among the young martial artists I've seen. How did you manage to develop such skills?"
He seemed quite interested in me. I modestly brushed off the compliment about my skills.
"I'm still quite dull. I just had a few lucky encounters and some good fortune."
"Haha... Master has high hopes for you. He usually doesn't easily pass on secret techniques, but he broke his own rule for you. No one has ever received such attention from him, and no one will in the future."
"Senior brother, you also receive a lot of attention, don't you?"
"Perhaps. Master doesn't interfere much with me. He teaches me what I need and then leaves the rest to me."
As he said this, a hint of bitterness appeared on Jin Shaoqing's face. I understood the situation at a glance.
'Geniuses teaching geniuses, I guess.'
Master Li Guang is a genius in martial arts (武), and so is Jin Shaoqing. It's common for people with similar talents to be drawn to each other and to easily gauge each other's abilities. Li Guang must have a clear understanding of how far Jin Shaoqing can develop, which is why he doesn't interfere unnecessarily. However, this approach might seem a bit cold to Jin Shaoqing.
But I envied such a relationship. The reason Master Li Guang has been teaching me intensively for the past six months isn't because of any deep bond. It's because I'm so dull that he has to push and scold me to make me learn. This is incomparable to how Jin Shaoqing is trusted and left to his own devices.
I asked, just in case,
"Senior brother, have you mastered all the secret techniques of the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms (雷靈八式)?"
"Spear techniques (槍術) are endless. I haven't mastered all of them yet, given my shallow cultivation."
"......"
I looked at him suspiciously, and Jin Shaoqing shrugged.
"Well, well. I've learned everything I can for now."
"Is that so?"
"Of course, I won't use any secret techniques in tomorrow's match. It would be meaningless to do so. In a confrontation with another school, you can't kill the opponent, so how can you casually use techniques that might be leaked? Even if it's the best technique in the world, if it's observed repeatedly, a counter will eventually be found. Junior brother, you should also seal away any secret techniques you've learned for tomorrow's match."
"Really? You won't use any secret techniques?"
I was shocked. How could he not use his trump card when challenging one of the Nine Sects? But Jin Shaoqing nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Of course. How can I casually use techniques that might be leaked? Even if it's the best technique in the world, if it's observed repeatedly, a counter will eventually be found. Junior brother, you should also seal away any secret techniques you've learned for tomorrow's match."
"......"
Indeed. I haven't learned any techniques worthy of being called secret techniques yet, and the best I've managed is to learn the Heavenly Thunder Seal. Still, after six months of training under Master Li Guang, my sword skills have greatly improved, and I've learned some secret techniques. I was conflicted. Jin Shaoqing said,
"The Heavenly Thunder Seal is fine. Just try to take down your opponent with minimal movement."
"Senior brother, you're giving too many instructions. Even so, the level here is extremely high."
I grumbled, but Jin Shaoqing just laughed.
"Hahaha, don't worry."
Wouldn't you be worried too?
I wanted to shout but held back. Even now, I was speaking in a low voice to avoid drawing attention from the Zhongnan Sect members in the inn. Our conversation was arrogant enough as it was.
After finishing our meal, we lay down to rest. I looked at the ceiling before falling asleep, and with no particular thoughts, I drifted off naturally.
The next morning, we climbed Mount Zhongnan. The path, which could hardly be called a mountain trail, was more like a well-maintained walking path, with resting spots scattered throughout. This showed that many visitors came to the Zhongnan Sect and that the sect had accumulated considerable wealth. The path was likely built using donations and tributes they received.
Soon, we saw a building that seemed to be the main entrance of the Zhongnan Sect. Two white-clothed swordsmen (白衣劍士) stood in front, clearly disciples of the Zhongnan Sect. Their swords had unique twists, which were likely the sect's symbols.
One of them shouted, looking at us,
"From here on, this is the main mountain of the Zhongnan Sect. Outsiders must state their names and the purpose of their visit."
"I am Jin Shaoqing of the Green Dragon Martial Hall, and this is my junior brother, Bai Xiong. We've come from Guanzhong to request a match with the Zhongnan Sect."
"......!!"
The white-clothed swordsmen seemed quite surprised by Jin Shaoqing's calm response. It was a direct challenge, after all. One of the gatekeepers, unable to hide his shock, said,
"Do you know that this is the Zhongnan Sect, one of the Nine Sects and One Gang?"
"Of course."
"You're crazy..."
"Until when do you plan to keep us standing here? Pass the message quickly."
Jin Shaoqing's reprimand made the white-clothed swordsman glare at us with a hostile look. He must have realized that Jin Shaoqing had already mastered the secret technique, Thunder Shadow Step (雷影步).
"Indeed. I'll just take the sign down."
Whoosh
Jin Shaoqing clenched his fist and then flew off at an incredible speed. I could also achieve such speed, but considering his internal energy, his lightness technique was clearly at a very high level. Jin Shaoqing, who was only in his mid-twenties, possessed such martial prowess that it was astonishing.
I shook my head and looked at the fallen white-clothed swordsmen. I clicked my tongue.
"Stupid guys. You're asking for trouble, aren't you?"
Angering Jin Shaoqing was something I wouldn't dare to do. The nerve of the white-clothed swordsman who had provoked him with just a few words was impressive. I felt a bit relieved and chuckled as I ran forward.
Whoosh
After running about two li, we saw the main buildings of the Zhongnan Sect. About ten Zhongnan Sect disciples, who had been knocked out by Jin Shaoqing, were lying on the ground, and the rest were surrounding him in a circular formation, tense and ready. A high-level Zhongnan Sect expert in his thirties shouted,
"You scoundrels! How dare you cause such a disturbance at the Zhongnan Sect!"
"You insulted my school first. I intended to be polite, but this is your doing."
"What? Even if that's true, we can't forgive you!"
Swish, swish, swish
As soon as he finished speaking, the white-clothed swordsmen around us raised their swords. A normal martial artist would be tense or intimidated by such a hostile scene. However, Jin Shaoqing remained cold and muttered,
"We are the ones who can't forgive."
Boom
Jin Shaoqing's figure suddenly split into three, and he struck the surrounding white-clothed swordsmen with his palm. The sound of heavy blows echoed as the swordsmen were sent flying, spewing blood. No one could even match a single move of Jin Shaoqing, let alone fight him on equal terms.
Crack
"Ah!"
"Ugh!"
The scene of the white-clothed swordsmen being shattered in the air was intense. Although no one had died yet, it was common for them to be knocked unconscious with their eyes rolled back after a few strikes.
I couldn't close my mouth at the terrifying scene. Most of them were high-level martial artists, and some were even at the peak of their skills, yet they were being overwhelmed so completely. More shockingly, Jin Shaoqing hadn't even drawn his spear, the weapon he was known for, and was using only the Thunder Cloud Palm and Thunder Cloud Fist to dismantle the Zhongnan Sect.
'... Damn! This isn't the time to be impressed!'
I quickly shouted,
"Senior brother! Stop it!"
Boom
The last white-clothed swordsman, trembling, leaned against the main gate of the Zhongnan Sect. Jin Shaoqing's powerful fist shattered the massive gate, which flew away and landed heavily on the ground. Jin Shaoqing's fist was embedded next to the terrified swordsman, who was crying and wetting himself.
Jin Shaoqing finally retracted his hand and said,
"I'm still not satisfied, junior brother."
"Really?"
Jin Shaoqing slowly raised his head. I realized he was looking at the core buildings of the Zhongnan Sect and the peak-level experts inside. I was terrified. As expected, Jin Shaoqing started walking forward.
I was witnessing a true challenge to a sect.
I realized I had misjudged Jin Shaoqing all along.
He wasn't a gentle and kind person. He was a fierce beast, quiet most of the time but ruthless and destructive once provoked. A god of destruction with absolute confidence in his own power!
"Let's go for a good fight."
"......"
I wanted to ask what kind of fight he was talking about and if he was crazy, but I was too scared to say anything and just followed him.