Chapter 120: Taking His Wife as His Teacher
Seeing that everyone was learning with great enthusiasm, Xiaoyao Lang returned to the former Qing Palace alone to stay with Yu Linglong.
When Yu Linglong saw him arrive, she asked softly, "How are they learning?"
Xiaoyao Langyan said, "They have all entered the mainstream."
Yu Linglong: "You seem to have something on your mind?"
Xiaoyao Lang said softly, "I want to go down the mountain to find Han Chan!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong said, "I originally did not want to interfere with your decision to stay or leave, but since you have entered the Heavenly Palace, you should act according to fate."
Xiaoyao Lang immediately asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Yu Linglong: "The Heavenly Palace has countless martial arts techniques, but you don't know a single one. If you leave now, wouldn't it be a waste of your trip?"
Xiaoyao Lang: "There's plenty of time ahead. I'll just study and practice diligently."
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong stood up and stepped forward, saying, "I've said all I can say, but you still don't understand my feelings. The world is dangerous, and you have no skills. If something were to happen to you, how would I bear it?" As she spoke, her voice carried a hint of sadness.
Xiaoyao Lang immediately said, "Linglong, I grew up in the martial world since I was a child, and now I am a promising young man. Perhaps you are worrying too much!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong's anger flared, and she said, "The past is gone; you must face the future. In the martial world, strength reigns supreme, and only those with real power can ensure lasting peace. If you leave the mountain now, don't expect to see me again for at least three years." With that, she turned away, no longer looking at Xiaoyao Lang.
Xiaoyao Lang thought to himself that Yu Linglong's concern for him was not without reason. There was no rush to find Murong Hanchan; with his high comprehension, he could master several martial arts techniques in no time.
Having made up his mind, Xiaoyao Lang said, "Linglong, I'll listen to you. But you'll have to put in the effort to teach me martial arts!"
Yu Linglong immediately smiled and said softly, "The martial arts of Tianji Palace are not passed on to outsiders!"
Xiaoyao Lang was taken aback: "...Then how can I learn it?"
Yu Linglong: "Throughout the entire Tianji Palace, besides the Four Elders of the Xuan Chamber, only I can teach you martial arts. You can choose for yourself!"
Xiaoyao Lang understood Yu Linglong's meaning and immediately said, "I want to become your disciple?!"
Yu Linglong raised an eyebrow: "Why not?"
Xiaoyao Lang was taken aback and found it difficult to answer.
Yu Linglong immediately said, "Now that I am your wife, all your previous worries have vanished."
Xiaoyao Lang turned his head and said leisurely, "That's precisely why I'm in a bit of a predicament."
Yu Linglong smiled and said, "What, you still value etiquette?! Yu Lang, Tianji Palace prioritizes the Dao and only observes a small portion of worldly etiquette, so you can rest assured."
Xiaoyao Lang scoffed and said, "I'll bow then! I, Xiaoyao Lang, have my own way, why should I be bound by formalities!" As he spoke, he was about to bow to Yu Linglong.
Upon seeing this, Yu Linglong immediately released her hand and said, "Wait!"
Xiaoyao Lang asked in confusion, "So what?"
Yu Linglong flicked her white sleeves and smiled, "How can you take the apprenticeship so lightly?"
Xiaoyao Lang straightened his back and asked boldly, "Then what should we do?"
Yu Linglong looked at Xiaoyao Langyan and said, "Offering incense to the ancestors, formally informing the disciples, and bowing three times and nine times are necessary to become a disciple."
Xiaoyao Lang rolled his eyes, his head spinning, and said shamelessly, "Fine, I'll do as you say!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong smiled again and then called out to the door, "Ruoyue!"
Ruoyue arrived with her sword in hand, cupped her hands in greeting, and said, "Palace Master!"
Yu Linglong said, “Inform Dongxue and Xialu that Xiaoyao Lang will formally become a disciple of my Tianji Palace tomorrow. Tell them to prepare for the ceremony of becoming a disciple.” After saying that, she waved her sleeve and sat down on the lotus platform again.
"Yes!" Ruoyue accepted the order and turned to leave.
Xiaoyao Lang looked at Yu Linglong, whose long hair was unbound, her figure graceful and extremely beautiful. He then went up to the stage and sat down next to her, saying softly, "You don't even have your hair tied up, it's all disheveled. What kind of kung fu have you been practicing? Has it made you lazy?" As he spoke, he gently stroked Yu Linglong's long hair.
Yu Linglong glanced at him sideways and replied softly, "What, you don't like me looking like this?"
Xiaoyao Lang smiled and replied softly, "Don't talk nonsense. No matter what you look like, I never get tired of looking at you." As he spoke, he embraced Yu Linglong, brushed aside her right side of hair, and kissed her cheek lightly, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Yu Linglong was kissed and said softly, "Get some rest. We have to pay our respects to your master tomorrow."
Xiaoyao Lang said calmly, "So, you're not going to stay with me?"
Yu Linglong glanced at him and replied indifferently, "I am meditating and regulating my breathing here, which is no different from sleeping. You can go by yourself."
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyao Lang said, "Without you by my side, I can hardly fall asleep." He thought to himself: Damn it! You tormented me for several days because of your own desires, but when it's my turn, why are you making excuses... Seeing that Yu Linglong was no longer paying attention to him, he had no choice but to get up and leave the Qianqing Palace.
Yu Linglong watched Xiaoyao Lang leave, closed her eyes, and remained silent. A moment later, melodious zither music came from outside the door. Yu Linglong recognized it as Xiaoyao Lang's old composition, "A Lifetime of Love".
The zither music was sorrowful and resentful, and coupled with Xiaoyao Lang's slightly accelerated playing with internal energy, it sounded even more arrogant and indignant. Yu Linglong had her own thoughts, so she rose and slowly walked towards the sound.
When Yu Linglong arrived at Yingfeng Terrace, she saw Xiaoyao Lang playing a zither piece, completely absorbed in it. She immediately said, "Although this piece is exquisite, it is too sorrowful and indignant. You must not harm your body or mind."
Xiaoyao Lang said confidently, "Don't worry! I'm just worried that I might forget this piece if I don't practice it for a long time. I'm not sad about it."
Yu Linglong sat down on the ground and said softly, "Since that's the case, I also like this piece very much. May I teach you the whole piece?"
Xiaoyao Lang said boldly, "Of course you can, become my disciple!" As he spoke, he looked at Yu Linglong with interest.
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong smiled, leaned against Xiaoyao Lang, and remained silent.
Xiaoyao Lang immediately stopped playing his instrument, and began to play "The Rest of My Life's Love" again.
After playing several tunes on the zither, Yu Linglong had memorized them all. The two clung to each other, their affection overflowing, a sight that would make any couple envious. As night deepened, Yu Linglong meditated to cultivate her inner energy, while Xiaoyao Lang nestled in her arms and fell asleep one after the other.
Birds chirped in the mountains as dawn broke. The two returned to their room to wash and groom themselves, preparing for the apprenticeship ceremony.
Xiaoyao Lang combed Yu Linglong's hair and asked softly, "Today I became your disciple. The Heavenly Palace is so lively. Is this because I have done you a favor?"
Yu Linglong smiled and said, "As long as one enters the Heavenly Palace, one must worship the ancestors and pay homage to the gate, and hold a grand ceremony. It is not my honor."
Xiaoyao Lang said in a cheerful voice, "For someone to become a disciple, such a grand ceremony is required. Tianji Palace is truly wealthy!"
Yu Linglong said softly, "That's not the case. Tianji Palace accepts disciples every year on the seventh day of the seventh month, and the ceremony of formally becoming a disciple is standardized. The first disciple studies for two months. If he still fails to achieve the three cultivations, he will be disqualified from enlightenment and will be sent out of Tianji Palace. Only those who have passed the three cultivations can participate in the ancestral worship ceremony, perform the ancestral worship and discipleship ceremony, and become a disciple of Tianji Palace."
Xiaoyao Lang: "I see! What matters at Tianji Palace require a grand ceremony?"
Yu Linglong: "The Tianji Palace Grand Ceremony will be held, during which a new sect leader will succeed to the throne. On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the sect leader will worship their ancestors and recruit disciples to carry on their legacy."
Xiaoyao Lang was startled and immediately said, "Could I be a disciple of the lineage?!" As he spoke, he put the nine jade lotuses on Yu Linglong's head.
Yu Linglong said softly, "If you have such thoughts, as long as you are qualified to be the sect leader, I don't mind holding another grand ceremony for you!" As she spoke, she stood up and looked at Xiaoyao Lang.
Xiaoyao Lang chuckled leisurely, "Forget it! I have no such intention."
After everything was prepared, the two arrived at the Former Qing Palace. Yu Linglong sat high on the lotus platform, graceful and elegant, exuding a fairy-like aura.
The prince and his entourage, all holding long swords, bowed respectfully and said, "May the Palace Master live a thousand years, descending upon the mortal realm to transmit cultivation and expound the Dharma, and to illuminate the path of enlightenment!"
Yu Linglong waved her sleeve, and everyone stood up straight. Turning to Dongxue, she said, "Let's begin!"
Dongxue nodded in response, then stepped forward with the record and loudly proclaimed, "By the Jade Decree of the Heavenly Pole Palace Headmaster, Xiaoyao Lang is of impeccable character and innate comprehension, and his destiny with the sect is ordained by Heaven. Today, May 20th, Xiaoyao Lang is formally accepted as a disciple, becoming the sixth-generation successor disciple of the Heavenly Pole Palace, the sixth-generation senior brother of the Headmaster, and the chief disciple of the fifth-generation Headmaster. Perform the master's rites now!" After speaking, she looked at Xiaoyao Lang.
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