Chapter 9 Why did you accept me as your disciple?

Zhuang Jinfu seemed to understand something and said frankly, "You're not young anymore. I know that all mortals have some needs, but it's still better to be moderate. Drink a couple more cups of calming tea later."

Ling Shu: "..."

Why isn't there a crack in the ground? I really want to crawl into one.

After lunch and tea, Zhuang Jinfu led her into Zhujin Mountain, which was located behind Qingxi Hall. It was a precious place specially reserved by the Shangqing Sect for Zhuang Jinfu to recuperate and live a good life.

Zhujin Mountain is covered with bamboo. A fog maze was set up at the entrance. The visibility in the thick fog was only about 10 feet. Without a special guide, it was impossible to break through the fog and enter Zhujin Mountain. Zhuang Jinfu walked in calmly. After less than five steps, the fog gradually dissipated, and a serene scene came into view.

There was a small house in the forest. Not far from the house, a stream meandered down the hillside. On a huge rock by the stream, a stand for playing the zither was carved out. On the stand, a zither was placed, and a ghostly aura protected the zither.

Climb the steps behind the Qin Terrace upwards to the top, where there is a large, gray-black boulder under an ancient pine tree. The chessboard is located here, but the chessboard occupies only a quarter of the boulder; the larger part extends outwards and stops three zhang away from the edge of the mountain.

Zhuang Jinfu led her up the boulder and sat down cross-legged with her back to the ancient pine tree. It was noon, not the most suitable time for meditation, but the spiritual energy of her Ling Shu was running rampant. If she did not adjust it in time, the power of the thousand-year-old demon core would break the balance in her body, causing her to feel extremely hot.

Zhuang Jinfu: "You can sit in a single lotus position, a double lotus position, or a cross-legged position. Relax your upper body naturally, keep your body upright, relax your lips and teeth and keep them slightly closed, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, lower your eyelids slightly, keep them slightly closed, and make the Zi-Wu Mudra with your hands."

As soon as Ling Shu crossed her legs, trying to keep her body upright, she found herself leaning slightly backward: "I can't sit still, Zhuang Jinfu!"

"Call me Master."

"Ahhh, I'm falling!" Ling Shu cried out as she fell backward, but luckily she was quick enough to catch herself.

Zhuang Jinfu: "..."

Zhuang Jinfu: "You are the only person I've ever met who can fall over while meditating."

Ling Shu: "I've collapsed, so what happened? So what happened?"

Zhuang Jinfu: "..."

Zhuang Jinfu: "Change your hand seal, make a firm grip, and place your hands on your knees."

I learned the art of Ling Shu, and this time I didn't fail.

Zhuang Jinfu: "Sink your Qi to your Dantian, slow down your breathing, and let your lower abdomen rise and fall gently with your breath. There's no need to rush with each inhale and exhale."

Zhuang Jinfu: "Feel nature, gather qi into the body, and circulate it through the microcosmic orbit."

Ling Shu couldn't quite grasp the art of slightly closing her eyelids, so she simply closed her eyes completely. After slowing her breathing, she clearly felt the surrounding spiritual energy being drawn into her body. The newly entered spiritual energy seemed to have a life of its own, leading the rampant spiritual energy within her body to calm down. The spiritual energy followed her breath along the Du Meridian to the Mingmen point, and then flowed in the opposite direction along the Ren Meridian, thus unblocking both the Du and Ren Meridians.

The spiritual energy here is pure and refined, and the effect of drawing energy into the body is higher than when she cultivated in the mortal world. After circulating it for three small cycles, she already felt refreshed and invigorated. Zhujin Mountain is truly a blessed land.

Zhuang Jinfu sat quietly to the side, cross-legged.

As Ling Shu sat down, she felt her body getting warm and her palms sweating, so she asked, "Zhuang Jinfu, is it normal to feel warm when meditating?"

Zhuang Jinfu replied slowly, "Normal."

"Also, call him Master."

"I won't call it."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a bolt of lightning struck Ling Shu squarely.

Ling Shu felt a tingling, aching sensation all over her body, and with a "whoosh," she fell backward, her body stiff.

Zhuang Jinfu didn't even lift his eyelids, only saying coldly, "Get up."

Ling Shu sprang up from the rock with a quick somersault, turned to Zhuang Jinfu, and said, "How do you know I'm alright?"

Zhuang Jinfu sat upright as steady as Mount Tai and said, "Anyone with a Thunder Spirit Root of Earth Grade or higher will be struck by lightning when they break through the Qi Refining stage and enter the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Well, you really can see through everything." Ling Shu felt uncomfortable twisting her body, so she turned around and knelt down facing Zhuang Jinfu: "Zhuang Jinfu, I want to learn swordsmanship."

Zhuang Jinfu opened his eyes this time, broke the hand seal and got up from the ground: "Okay." Then he raised his hand, and a silver-white sword appeared in his hand. The scabbard was not decorated with gemstones, but only with silver engraving of white plum blossoms and clouds. Even before touching it, he could feel the chilling aura emanating from the sword.

Zhuang Jinfu gripped the hilt of his sword, drew it from its sheath, stepped back a few paces, and said, "Watch closely."

The sword moves with her body, her movements are fluid and powerful, with the sound of dragons roaring and phoenixes singing, and the shadow of a dragon soaring through the air. The sword intent is profound, and her movements are graceful and elegant, just like a god flying. Her movements are measured and controlled, which shows that she has a Taoist heart that is detached from emotions and unmoved by feelings.

Ling Shu suddenly forgot where she was.

Feeling dizzy and disoriented, like someone who's drunk a lot of strong liquor, I was intoxicated by the beauty.

Did you see it clearly?

Ling Shu was completely absorbed in the moment, her mind wandering.

Zhuang Jin waved his hand in front of her and said again, "Did you see clearly?"

"Huh? Oh, I... I saw it clearly."

"Dance it for me."

Zhuang Jinfu handed her the sword. Ling Shu grasped it, and the coolness in her palm and the weight of the sword made her more alert. She held Zhuang Jinfu's sword.

Ling Shu stepped forward with an air of importance, but her mistake was exposed as soon as she started. She was so focused on watching the beautiful woman dance with a sword that she didn't remember any sword techniques. She just messed around with the whole thing. The Shangqing Sword Technique was danced by her like wild cats fighting. Not only was her movement wild and unrestrained, but every move was also made with ruthless force. It didn't look like she was learning swordsmanship, but rather like she was about to kill someone. However, her sword technique was used in a strange and inappropriate way. Her killing moves looked like a cute and cuddly kitten fighting an enemy.

After the dance, Zhuang Jinfu sighed and said, "You didn't see it at all."

Ling Shu had her own set of excuses: "I'm a novice. I haven't even learned the basic swordsmanship. How could I possibly learn routines right away?" As she spoke, there was a hint of coquetry in her tone.

Zhuang Jinfu seemed to be very receptive to this, and nodded, saying, "I was too hasty and did not consider you. I have never encountered a student with such poor foundation. It was my oversight."

Ling Shu pouted: "...Why is he even swearing?"

Zhuang Jinfu held the scabbard in his hand, treating it as his own sword. Each time he demonstrated a movement, Ling Shu would imitate it. Ling Shu couldn't get the thrusting motion right, practicing five times before still struggling. Ling Shu complained, "It's so hard! I can't learn it! Zhuang Jinfu, can I stop learning? This is too tiring, I don't want to learn anymore..."

Ling Shu's complaints came to an abrupt halt, her cheeks suddenly flushing hot.

Just like in her dream, a cool embrace came from behind her, and a cold hand covered the back of her hand, guiding her to wield the sword in her hand and correcting her posture little by little.

"Don't stab so high, go out from the waist and stab into the air." Zhuang Jinfu's gentle and patient voice came from beside her ear, and the warm, moist breath between his breaths touched her sensitive earlobe.

"Did you remember?"

The coolness departed.

Ling Shu nodded like a chick pecking at rice: "Mmm."

"Demonstrate it for me."

Ling Shu dared not look at her, focusing on the sword in her hand, but the tension brought on by her emotions made her lose her balance when she thrust out. As she staggered, a warm, cool hand grabbed her arm and steadied her.

Zhuang Jinfu's voice was calm as still water: "Concentrate."

Ling Shu gripped her sword firmly, assumed a starting stance, and said, "I... I'll do it again."

"good."

This time the movements were natural, and although not yet smooth, they were the most standard movements I've seen in all these takes.

Just then, a person in purple quietly landed in the distance and hid in the bamboo forest. Zhuang Jinfu sensed the person's presence, but did not tell Ling Shu, instead pretending not to know.

The newcomer exuded a dignified and authoritative aura. She quietly descended into the bamboo forest, deliberately concealing her imposing presence. From her vantage point, she could see Zhuang Jinfu and Ling Shu completely.

When Ling Shu first started learning swordsmanship, her movements were somewhat clumsy. However, when she made one or two impressive moves, she would become very proud and let loose, her lips curving into a wide, joyful laugh as she openly celebrated her progress.

That's wonderful, she thought.

But the next moment, a flood of conflicted and hesitant emotions rushed into her heart.

Out of selfishness, she wanted to keep her, as this was her only remaining connection with Wen Ji in the world. But if she kept her and she caused trouble in the future, what would happen to the Shangqing Realm?

Time passed as bamboo leaves fell one by one. As the sun began to set, Ling Shu wanted to continue learning, but Zhuang Jinfu stopped her, saying, "Your basic skills are not solid. Learning more routines will only make you look like a show. Starting tomorrow, you will attend classes with the inner disciples to build a solid foundation, and then I will teach you."

Ling Shu was displeased when she heard that she had to go to school with those cultivators: "I'm not going. They'd love for me to die. Why would I go and join in their fun, waiting for them to kill me?"

Zhuang Jinfu advised, "I don't require you to be present during roll call every day. You just need to listen and get a general idea. I'll teach you the rest, and you can also make some friends along the way."

Ling Shu scoffed, "They think they're worthy of knowing me?"

Zhuang Jinfu remained calm and composed: "Not everyone is prejudiced against you."

Ling Shu retorted, "Most cultivators dislike demons, so I have no reason to provoke them."

Zhuang Jinfu sighed helplessly and said, "No matter how much you dislike it, this is how the world is. You can't stay in Qingxi Palace forever."

Ling Shu looked dejected, and Zhuang Jinfu said, "Give me back the sword." Ling Shu reluctantly returned it.

"Let's go down the mountain." Zhuang Jinfu sheathed his sword and started walking.

Zhuang Jinfu's sword was slightly heavy, and the blade exuded a chill, yet it did not freeze the wielder, as if it possessed a spiritual quality.

Ling Shu instantly regained her energy and nestled close to her like a cat: "Zhuang Jinfu, what's the name of your sword?"

She corrected her as always: "Call him Master. His name is Meixu."

Ling Shu: "Does its name have any significance?"

Zhuang Jinfu said calmly, “It is taken from Lu Yue’s poem ‘Snow Plum (Part 1)’: ‘The plum is three parts less white than the snow, but the snow is less fragrant than the plum.’ As the saying goes, every inch has its shortcomings and every foot has its strengths. The plum and the snow are like people who each have their own strengths, and they should learn from each other.”

The two walked out, but Ling Shu stopped in front of the mist formation of Zhu Jin Mountain.

"What's wrong?" Zhuang Jinfu turned around in confusion. Ling Shu suddenly bent down and squatted on the ground, selecting stones.

"Why are you picking up stones?" Zhuang Jinfu asked again. Ling Shu did not answer. Instead, she picked up a fist-sized stone and threw it quickly at the abdomen of the person following behind her.

*Crack*—The rock was blasted to pieces. Then, a figure flashed by and disappeared without a trace.

Ling Shu shouted angrily at the surroundings, "Wang Lifu! Get out here!"

There was no sound, only the chirping of a few birds all around.

Ling Shu then shouted, "You dog, what are you doing following me?! Do you want me dead that badly?"

A cloud of purple smoke landed a foot away, and the impeccably dressed Wang Lifu appeared before her. She secretly clenched her fists, going against her initial emotions, opened her mouth and then closed it again, before lowering her eyes and saying coldly, "Yes."

I want you dead.

Upon hearing this, Ling Shu's anger flared, his face contorted into a ferocious beastly expression, fox ears sprouting from his head, giving him a menacing look that seemed poised to strike.

Wang Lifu waved his hand indifferently, and Ling Shu was forced back three zhang by the powerful magic, until her back hit the bamboo before she stopped. The invisible force gripped her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Despite this, Ling Shu showed no intention of begging for mercy, choking out, "Wang...Wang Li...Fu, you dog!"

Wang Lifu continued to threaten: "What makes you think you, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, can fight me?"

"With your worthless life?"

Ling Shu resisted the force on her neck: "Bullshit! I'm... at the Foundation Establishment stage!"

Wang Lifu gave a mocking laugh.

"Enough!" Zhuang Jinfu said sternly.

As soon as she finished speaking, the grip on Ling Shu's neck disappeared.

Zhuang Jinfu's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, but his words carried a clear warning: "Master, I will discipline my disciple."

Wang Lifu stood with his hands behind his back, looking composed and superior: "You'd better be able to manage this." With that, he turned into a cloud of purple smoke and disappeared from the spot.

Wang Lifu's unexpected appearance shattered Ling Shu's goodwill towards Zhuang Jinfu, who had just been getting along peacefully. She looked at Zhuang Jinfu with a more scrutinizing gaze. She didn't trust people very much, and she felt uneasy about Zhuang Jinfu's motives for saving her. Would anyone really help a stranger without expecting anything in return?

Ling Shu lowered her head, the vibrancy in her eyes dimming. She was filled with anxiety and asked, "Zhuang Jinfu, tell me the truth, why did you take me as your disciple?"

Without thinking, Zhuang Jinfu blurted out, "I should give life itself a chance to choose."

She spoke naturally, and her words conveyed a compassion born of enlightenment.

"Really?" The light in Ling Shu's eyes was like shimmering light floating on the surface of water.

"Really." Zhuang Jinfu nodded. Under the setting sun, the bamboo forest was bathed in a warm glow, which peacefully shone on Zhuang Jinfu.

Ling Shu stood in the shadows, the sunlight just a step away from her.

"I'm not lying to you." Zhuang Jinfu smiled slightly, her dimples appearing shallow. She looked approachable and warm, making people want to get closer and fall into her gentle embrace.

"Master, thank you."

Ling Shu took that step, one foot stepping into the warm yellow sunlight, standing side by side with her.

Zhuang Jinfu was stunned for a moment.