radicalducati Chapter 32 Zen Tower!
Chapter 32 Zen Tower!
When Zhong Yuan practiced swordsmanship, it wasn't so troublesome because he had a natural sword vein.
Many of the most basic things seem to come naturally the moment you hold a sword.
This sense of natural talent is something that Fang Baihua naturally lacks.
From the moment Fang Baihua grasped the sword to the moment she drew it, Zhong Yuan taught her meticulously.
Moreover, his understanding of the 360 basic sword moves was far superior to that of Huo Tianjiao.
and so.
He can standardize every movement with perfect accuracy.
This standardized teaching method is perfect for beginners like Fang Baihua.
at this time.
The effects of Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation) on Fang Baihua and Fang Shisan became apparent over the past six months.
More than half a year ago, Zhong Yuan had already started having Fang Baihua, Fang Shisan, and the three treasures of the Fang family practice martial arts.
Start by learning the most basic standing meditation, then learn acupoints, and finally learn swordsmanship.
Over the past six months, Fang Baihua has surprisingly learned the fastest.
Fang Shisan and the Fang family's three treasures, four boys, are not as good as a little girl.
Zhong Yuan taught diligently, and Fang Baihua also studied diligently.
This young lady has a certain spirit that Zhong Yuan greatly admires.
In the future, if she truly achieves mastery of her skills, Fang Baihua will undoubtedly become a valiant and heroic woman.
Thinking of this, Zhong Yuan felt an even stronger urgency to develop profound internal skills.
The Ming Cult has been passed down to this day.
They didn't even have a single, unified internal energy cultivation method that could be passed down to the middle ranks of the Ming Cult.
Not to mention other techniques like palm strikes, light footwork, and swordsmanship.
Most of the Ming Cult's high-ranking members either came with martial arts skills or had a master-disciple relationship with them.
Or perhaps he comes from the Maitreya sect.
If the Ming Cult wants to flourish, it must have a sufficient lineage.
The "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" technique and the Sacred Flame Token were not meant for ordinary believers to learn.
Even the high-ranking members of the Ming Cult found it extremely difficult to cultivate to a high level.
Therefore, he must change this situation.
But if he wants to change this situation, he must first become strong and have enough resources before he can do these things.
Of course, starting with the students around me isn't a big problem.
Therefore, he had to go to Shuanglin Temple.
After Shuanglin Temple, he would also like to visit Langhuan Jade Cave in Mantuo Villa and Huanshi Water Pavilion in Yanziwu whenever he had the chance.
Putting everything else aside, just to gather the strengths of various schools and establish a complete martial arts tradition for the Ming Cult, we have to make a trip there.
This thought flashed through Zhong Yuan's mind only briefly.
Things must be done one at a time, and food must be eaten one bite at a time.
The Ming Cult will surely flourish under his leadership.
Zhong Yuan didn't let Fang Baihua practice for too long.
After all, it was the first day of sword practice, and there was a lot to learn. Moreover, Fang Baihua was still growing and couldn't exert too much energy.
After only half an hour, he told Fang Baihua to go back and rest.
Although Fang Baihua was physically tired, she was in high spirits and went home happily.
Zhong Yuan instructed Huo Tianjiao to give Fang Baihua and Fang Shisan extra meals starting tomorrow.
After all, martial arts training is about physical exercise; it consumes a lot of energy, so naturally, it needs to replenish it as well.
There's no need to worry about food.
Zhong Yuan had already spoken to Fang Youchang in advance.
Ever since Fang Youchang learned that the woman Zhong Yuan brought back was skilled in martial arts and was even teaching the Fang family's three treasures and the Fang clan members for free...
He naturally gave his full support.
If the Fang family has a strongman, why should they be afraid of those government officials?
Moreover, with only a few children, no matter how much they could eat, Fang Youchang would simply give them enough food with a generous gesture.
Of course, Zhong Yuan is not lacking in this aspect either.
Having existed for so many years, the Ming Cult naturally has a considerable number of businesses.
However, Zhong Yuan still felt that it was more appropriate for Fang Youchang to provide the grain, as this would better unite the Fang clan members.
In the blink of an eye.
Three days have already passed.
This day.
Fang Liu arrived as scheduled, waiting for Zhong Yuan to leave together.
Zhong Yuan had already packed his bags, picked up the White Rainbow Sword, bid farewell to Huo Tianjiao and Old Zhong, and left calmly.
……
Zhong Yuan and Fang Liu traveled together, and Zhong Yuan told Fang Liu that their first destination was Shuanglin Temple.
Although Fang Liu did not know what Zhong Yuan was going to Shuanglin Temple for, he did not ask any questions and led the way directly.
With Fang Liu running around, Zhong Yuan saved a lot of effort.
The two bought two horses and first went to the mouth of the Qiantang River in Hangzhou Prefecture. Then they switched to waterways and traveled by water to Wuzhou.
At present, the Liangzhe Road is relatively peaceful, and we have not encountered any bandits along the way.
This surprised Zhong Yuan somewhat.
He sat on the covered boat, gazing at the Jiangnan water towns on both banks, and for a moment, he felt a sense of peace and tranquility.
If I hadn't returned to this Jiangnan region during the Northern Song Dynasty, how could I have seen such beautiful river and mountain scenery?
Fang Liu saw Zhong Yuan sitting at the bow of the boat, leaned closer, and whispered, "Young Master."
We're almost in Yiwu.
"Once we enter the city, let's fill our stomachs first. While it's still early, we should be able to reach Shuanglin Temple before sunset."
Zhong Yuan nodded slightly.
Before long, the covered boat docked at the pier.
The two went ashore and headed towards the city.
Fang Liu found a tavern that didn't look particularly impressive, but had a wine flag hanging above it and was called "Zen Tower".
Zhong Yuan was somewhat surprised to see the tavern's sign. Upon closer inspection, he noticed several monks dressed in monastic robes coming and going inside and outside the tavern.
Zhong Yuan and his companion entered the building and found an empty table to sit down.
A servant came forward and poured tea for Zhong Yuan and Fang Liu, and also asked them what kind of wine they wanted to drink and what kind of dishes they wanted to eat.
Fang Liu, familiar with the place, ordered a few side dishes.
While waiting for the dishes to arrive, Zhong Yuan asked Fang Liu, "Sixth Brother, why are there so many monks in this [Zen Pavilion]?"
Fang Liu lowered his voice and said to Zhong Yuan, "Young Master, this is already Shuanglin Temple's territory."
"Shuanglin Temple is quite famous in the eastern Zhejiang area."
"Most families in this city are Buddhists, and many merchants send their children to Shuanglin Temple to become lay disciples."
"The owner of this Zen building is a lay disciple of Shuanglin Temple, surnamed Deng, named Yuanjue."
"He was quite famous in the Wuzhou area. Even the underworld figures like the canal gangsters and salt smugglers had to give Deng Yuanjue some face when they came to Yiwu City."
"Otherwise, why do you think the river outside the city is so calm?"
Zhong Yuan raised an eyebrow.
Deng Yuanjue?
This name... doesn't it sound like that national teacher who called himself "Precious Light Tathagata" after Fang La's uprising?
If it really is this person, then we should take a good look at him.
Not long after.
When the food was served, the two of them ate with great relish, devouring it very quickly.
After the two had eaten and drunk their fill...
Suddenly, several figures stepped through the door of the tavern.
The group of people were all dressed in monks' robes. The leader was an old monk who wore a kasaya over a dark gray monk's robe.
Several young novices followed behind him.
The old monk had barely taken two steps into the temple when he saw a burly, bald monk with a long beard, standing over eight feet tall, shouting loudly at the corner of the second-floor staircase.
"May I ask, has Master Xuantong of Shaolin arrived?"