manynovel Chapter 328 Strange Rain and Fishy Wind Bring a Chill
Chapter 328 Strange Rain and Fishy Wind Bring a Chill
Chapter 328 Strange Rain and Fishy Wind Bring a Chill
The Tongtian Hall on Dawang Peak is a meticulously constructed hall. The hall is carved into the mountain rock, with large nanmu pillars that can be embraced by more than one arm. The pillars are decorated with shallow carvings of landscape and cloud patterns, and the roof is covered with overlapping carved brackets. The architecture is truly magnificent.
During the day, dozens of oil lamps hang inside the hall, illuminating the entire hall with their warm light. Dozens of plain-colored gauze curtains also hang from the beams, and the gentle breeze makes the curtains flutter, creating the impression of a grand gathering of immortals from afar.
The people in the hall had already arrived in batches, but the atmosphere was far from ethereal and otherworldly; instead, it was filled with a strong sense of tension.
A bronze sword had been placed in the main seat facing the hall entrance long ago, so everyone knew that this was the seat reserved for them by the Wuyi Sect, and there was not much arguing. However, several other seats in the hall caused quite a bit of trouble.
Besides the main seat, there are four huanghuali wood armchairs on each side, and a huanghuali wood table with drawers in front, which can only seat eight people in total. However, there are eighteen smaller hanging lamp-style chairs and tables in three rows and six columns below.
The Ming Dynasty's "History of Ming - Treatise on Rites" records that Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict to establish the system of rites: "All official rites and rituals shall be performed with respect to the left," thus establishing the official system of "left being superior." Therefore, the martial arts practitioners who arrived early all stared at the round chair on the left.
Zhao Banshan and Lu Feiqing followed Jiang Wen up the mountain, along with Shang Baozhen from Shangjiabao who followed closely behind. Naturally, they were the first to arrive at the battlefield. After entering the main hall, they were stunned for a moment before taking in the furnishings. Zhao Banshan and Lu Feiqing smiled at each other and then sat down on the two upper chairs on the right, looking just like a wealthy man and a schoolteacher.
As a junior, Shang Baozhen hesitated for a moment, worried about tarnishing his father's reputation. After thinking for a while, he sat down next to the two men in the third chair on the right.
However, when the fourth person arrived, things went awry.
There was a man dressed like a peasant, with only a straw rope tied around his waist. However, beneath the rough clothes, he was strong and muscular, with a serious and cold expression and a stubborn look in his eyes. He was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
He paused for a moment upon entering the main hall, then looked around without greeting or asking the three who had arrived earlier, and went straight to sit in the first chair on the left.
Following closely behind were two women with steady, agile steps and outstanding looks. They looked at the people who had already arrived in the house, turned around and sat down next to the farmer.
The farmer seemed a little uncomfortable, then muttered, "Why not be neighbors here too?" He then began to breathe heavily, his muscles undulating like waves, clearly demonstrating a unique internal skill that combined internal and external cultivation.
The two women exchanged a smile, then sat there calmly, waiting for the others to arrive.
Then, after only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a cacophony of footsteps came from outside, as if a large number of people were rushing to the Tongtian Hall. But a moment later, a uniform gait came, piercing through the turbulent flow like a sharp sword, parting the noisy crowd, and escorting the two Taoist priests into the hall.
After receiving Lin Pingzhi's message, Feng Daode felt somewhat resentful, thinking that Jiang Wen was just putting on an act again. Therefore, he deliberately slowed down his pace before setting off, intending to give Jiang Wen a hard time. However, after climbing up the Great King Peak and entering the Tongtian Hall, he was stunned for a moment before looking around and found that three of the four chairs on the left and right sides had already been occupied, leaving them only with the lower seat.
This was a matter of face that the Wudang Sect, which held a prominent position in the martial arts world, absolutely could not afford to lose. Moreover, the Wudang Sect and the Xiandu Sect were closely connected and could not be seated separately. Therefore, after only a moment's hesitation, he turned his attention to Gui Xinshu, who was seated at the head of the table.
"Second Master Gui, the seats are quite crowded today. Would you be so kind as to offer them to me, Feng?"
When Feng Daode spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a mischievous look with slightly triangular eyes. He did not offend anyone first, but instead pointed the finger at Gui Xinshu, who was the most difficult to negotiate with in the room. His purpose was obvious.
Gui Xinshu snorted coldly: "Sect Leader Feng, whether in terms of age or martial arts, I should be above you. Do you think I should sit in this position?"
Feng Daode slightly adjusted his Taoist robe and stepped forward, placing one hand on Gui Xinshu's palm. He said with slight surprise, "Second Master Gui, why do you say that? I just wanted to find a place to sit with Fellow Daoist Dongxuan. Your esteemed master, Daoist Mu Renqing, is also a member of the Taoist sect. Why make any distinction between them?"
But as he spoke, his two fingers quietly pressed on the Shenmen and Taiyuan acupoints, and an invisible force was released through the bending and stretching of his palm.
This top master of the Wudang School possessed internal energy from two different schools, but his internal energy was unique in that he had switched from Shaolin Yi Jin Jing to Wudang Yi Jin Jing. There were many similarities between them. Wudang Yi Jin Jing emphasizes twisting and turning, breathing and opening and closing, using movement to assist internal strength, and using softness to wrap around hard force, making it the most difficult to deal with.
At this moment, Feng Daode's palm seemed motionless, but the true energy inside had already circulated seven or eight times, transforming into flexible yet tough steel wires that coiled upwards along with the momentum of the Hunyuan Force, penetrating into Gui Xinshu's finger joints and meridians in a thorough and all-pervasive manner.
Gui Xinshu also snorted coldly, and the Primordial Chaos True Qi he had cultivated from the outside in was quietly activated. When he did not release it, it was like Mount Tai pressing down, silently pressing down along the interlocked knuckles and the pressed palm lines.
Originally, Hunyuan Gong was meant to cultivate a unified whole, seamless and without gaps. However, Gui Xinshu had his own unique Hunyuan Gong style – endless power, growing stronger with each battle. No matter how you change your tactics, I will crush you with my powerful and unyielding strength, making you invincible.
There was no whistling wind between the two, no leaping movements, their shoulders remained still, their feet didn't move, not even the hem of their clothes was stirred, and their expressions were calm as usual, as if it were just a polite handshake between ordinary martial arts practitioners. Only between their touching palms and backs of hands, there was already an internal force that was enough to split stone and determine life and death.
Suddenly, a glint flashed in Gui Xinshu's eyes, and his Hunyuan Gong suddenly increased by another point. A powerful and unstoppable internal force burst out from his palm, but it still remained confined within a small area, without leaking out in the slightest.
Feng Daode felt an overwhelming force, like Mount Tai pressing down on him, which he could not deflect. He immediately activated his Yi Jin Jing internal energy to the fullest extent and forcefully received the attack. However, in the blink of an eye, he released a hidden force and simultaneously withdrew his strength. With a gentle twist of his palm, he separated himself from Gui Xinshu's palm.
Feng Daode took a half step back, his body as steady as Mount Tai, as if the life-or-death internal strength contest had never happened. He cupped his hands, his fingertips still slightly numb, and the true energy in his dantian was faintly churning. He took a deep breath to suppress his internal energy and said in a deep voice, "Second Hero Gui's Hunyuan Skill is unparalleled. I admire you."
Gui Xinshu remained calm, leaving a broad handprint on the table, and uttered, "Master Feng's Wudang Divine Skill is indeed well-deserved."
At this moment, Yuan Ziyi suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, "Sect Leader Feng, are you perhaps too embarrassed to ask me? We sisters are both juniors, so it's only reasonable for us to give up our seats."
After saying that, she and Yan Yongchun clasped their hands and stood up neatly, then turned and walked to the right, giving Shang Baozhen a sweet smile.
"Young hero, my sister and I have nowhere to go. How about we switch places?"
Shang Baozhen, initially shocked by the tense standoff opposite him, was momentarily flustered upon seeing two exceptionally beautiful female warriors conversing with him. He quickly straightened his robes, stood up, and said:
"If you two speak up, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it!"
Therefore, Feng Daode and Dongxuan Daoren sat on the left side, between Gui Xinshu and Shang Baozhen, which also appeared to be in the center, so it was not considered a loss of face.
But the moment he sat down, his gaze fell upon the gaunt Taoist directly opposite him, and his expression turned somewhat gloomy and strange. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke.
"...Senior Brother Lu, you're here too."
The person opposite him had a lean face and a slightly yellowish complexion from years of studying at his desk. There were fine lines at the corners of his eyes, worn by the years. His eyebrows and eyes were always gentle and lowered. Three long black and white tufts of beard under his chin were neatly combed and hung down in front of his chest, adding to his scholarly air. He looked like a down-on-his-luck scholar or a schoolteacher from a wealthy family.
Lu Feiqing raised her eyes and replied, "I am no longer with Wudang Mountain, so there is no need for such formalities. You should be the leader of your Wudang Sect, and I will live my life as a carefree hermit."
A murmur arose from the crowd. Feng Daode seemed to have something to say, but after a moment of silence, he lowered his eyes and sat down, focusing on his inner thoughts, and said no more.
At this moment, the martial arts practitioners below the hall also found chairs with backrests and sat down. Some noticed the commotion, but none of them dared to express any emotions. Instead, they suppressed a strange silence.
Just when everyone thought the chaos was about to end, another person burst into the room.
This was a disheveled, strangely-looking old monk with layers of wrinkles on his face. He also liked to make faces and sway from side to side as if he were drunk. But when he saw that the left and right sides of the hall were full of people, his expression suddenly became lively.
On the right were a wealthy old man, a man who looked like a schoolteacher, and two beautiful young women; on the left were a farmer, two Taoist priests, and a young man dressed in martial arts attire. Master Ji observed for a moment, then walked straight to the left, extending a hand to place on Feng Daode's arm, the scene mirroring the previous one.
"Get up and give me your seat."
Feng Daode, his face ashen, broke free of the hand and flicked his whisk.
"Absurd! How could the Wudang Sect possibly give up its seat to the Southern Shaolin Sect?"
Master Chicken's lips curled down, revealing an expression that was both smiling and angry: "In the martial arts world, you could call me Old Madman and I wouldn't care, but now that we meet, what should you call me?"
Feng Daode hesitated for a moment: "...Uncle-Master."
"That's right."
Master Ji nodded in satisfaction: "I am from Shaolin, and you were originally from Shaolin too. If Shaolin is divided into North and South just because of its location, then wouldn't people also be divided into North and South by the river?"
Feng Daode dared not answer, knowing the other party was exposing his past. After a moment of silence, he looked at the Immortal Capital Sect Leader, Dongxuan Daoist, beside him—
The tall Taoist priest was stunned for a moment before expressionlessly giving up his seat and taking the head chair in the hall. The other martial arts practitioners naturally did not dare to stop him and had no choice but to obediently give up their seats.
Only then did the chaos subside. Just as Feng Daode ordered his men to make way for Master Ji Po, amidst the usual rough and noisy chatter of江湖人 (jianghu people), a piercingly loud suona horn suddenly rang out from the direction of the hall entrance.
The tune was extremely high, yet bright and not noisy, like the peak of Tianyou Peak, the main peak of Wuyi Mountain, breaking through the clouds, instantly drowning out the voices of the entire audience. Everyone stopped talking at the same time and turned their heads to look. They saw two rows of musicians, all dressed in indigo short jackets, walking in step by step, their steps perfectly timed.
What we arrived at was a proper Fujian opera troupe with a full set of civil and military performances. At the front of the military troupe, four people carried flat drums and played clapper drums, followed by eight musicians holding large gongs, small gongs, and cymbals. The sound of the bronze instruments colliding was crisp, bright, and heavy, with distinct layers. The civil performance in the middle was even more lively. Four suonas led the main melody, accompanied by two flutes and three sheng, playing an unfamiliar piece with a powerful yet clear and melodious sound, and a majestic yet delicate touch.
Two rows of musicians walked to the center of the Tongtian Hall, then parted to the left and right, continuing to play, but leaving the central passage straight. All eyes were fixed on the end of that passage until the second round of the bright suona tune, when Jiang Wen, the leader of the Wuyi Sect and the renowned "Gentleman Sword" of the martial arts world, slowly walked in.
Whispers arose from the surrounding sects, and a seasoned veteran explained in a low voice to the person next to him.
"I'd heard long ago that Master Jiang of the Wuyi Sect always had a band of musicians with him in Guangzhou. I never imagined it was true..."
"Yeah, have you guys noticed? Putting aside the noise, their singing and playing are actually quite good."
"...I can't let it go."
The music played by the band grew brighter and brighter, and just as Jiang Wenxing stood in front of the main seat of the Wuyi School, the suona horn was plucked to its highest pitch.
As Jiang Wen raised his hand and gently pressed down, almost simultaneously, all the gongs, drums, suonas, flutes, and other bronze instruments in the field fell silent without any hesitation. Only the last gong sounded, which rang out with a "clang" and its echo circled twice in the empty training ground before completely dissipating.
Jiang Wen stood in the main seat, his expression gentle and composed, a perpetual smile playing on his lips, as he slightly raised his eyes to survey the entire scene—
He first fixed his gaze on the portrait of the patriarch in the center of the main hall, looking at him in a suit and glasses. After confirming that no one would run out and shout that Liu Huan from the Song of Heroes was here, he sat down and maintained a smile.
Beside him sat Lin Zhennan, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of the Fuwei Escort Agency and a strategic partner of the Wuyi Sect. Lin was dressed in a royal blue robe embroidered with lions and flowers, and he sat upright with a dignified expression, looking quite mature and composed.
"Today, everyone here, whether Taoist immortals or Buddhist monks, are all fellow practitioners of the martial world." He bowed slightly, filled his cup with fine wine as a gesture of respect, appearing humble yet possessing an imposing presence in the eyes of the crowd.
"Wuyijiang Wen, first of all, I would like to thank you all for traveling all over the mountains and rivers to keep this appointment."
He then looked around at everyone, his voice low yet thunderous, carrying an air of mystery.
"In the past, during the Qin and Han dynasties, the rulers and ministers of Wuyi held a grand banquet for their guests atop Manting Peak, with jade mats and canopies, a truly legendary tale. Now, amidst the turmoil of the world and the lingering flames of war, our Wuyi Sect invites you all to gather here. Not to vie for sect supremacy, nor for martial arts prowess, nor for fame, fortune, or power. I, Jiang Wen, am but a hermit of the mountains and forests. Today, I simply wish to take advantage of this auspicious day to reunite you all with a 'Manting Immortal Banquet,' seeking a bond of camaraderie. Let me first raise a toast to all of you present!"
At this point, he raised his glass to his eyebrows and said loudly.
"please!"