Chapter - 31 Win Or Lose, Success Or Failure, Striving Against Calculation of Men (2/2)

Su XingHe said: ”My Master's order, anyone can enter and play this chess. Although this chess move by little master is wild fantasy, its still a legitimate move.” He remove the white chess-piece which Xu Zhu sacrificed, then he made a move with the black chess-piece.

Duan YanQing gave a loud cry and snap out of his trance, he stare at Ding ChunQiu and thought: ”Old Freak of XingXiu, you take advantage of my precarious position and employed your evil scheme, i won't take things lying down.”

Ding ChunQiu glared at Xu Zhu, his eyes filled with venomous rage, he cursed: ”Little bald thief!”

Duan YanQing look at the changes in the chess formation, he knew he escaped mortal danger all due to Xu Zhu assistance, he felt really grateful, he knew Ding ChunQiu resented Xu Zhu and is about to attack him, he pondered: ”Shaolin senior monk XuanNan is here, i don't think the Old Freak of XingXiu has the guts to trouble his disciple, but if this old rotten XuanNan is muddle-headed and fail to protect him properly i cannot simply let this little monk die because of me.”

Su XingHe said to Xu Zhu: ”Little master, you killed your own chess piece, how will you respond if the black chess-piece move in 1 more step?”

Xu Zhu laugh and said: ”Junior monk's chess skill is lowly, i randomly made a move just to save someone. I really cannot play this chess match, i hope senior will excuse me.”

Su XingHe expression turns grave, he said solemnly: ”My Master created this chess formation and respectful invited all the experts under the heaven to try and break it. It doesn't matter if it can't be broken, even if you suffer calamity its also your own doings. But if someone comes and intentionally mess up this chess match and taint the lifetime effort of my Master, although there are many people here, hei hei, even though old man is deaf and mute i will pledge my life and fight till death.” His know as 'Deaf Mute Old Man' but he is neither deaf nor mute, currently his able to hear and even speak, but unexpectedly he still call himself deaf and mute, but when his speaking his beard flare up, his expression fierce and ferocious, nobody dare to make fun of him.

Xu Zhu press his hands together and made a deep bow, he said: ”Old senior.....”

Su XingHe shouted loudly: ”Just play chess, why talk so much? My Master's chess formation is for your random amusement?” as he finish speaking he wave his right hand and send out a palm, there's a loud crashing sound, dust flew everywhere, a large crater appeared in front of Xu Zhu. The power in this palm is incomparably violent and fierce, if the palm landed a few chi closer, the tendons and bones in Xu Zhu would shatter and break, he would die a violent death.

Xu Zhu was so frighten that he heart thumped randomly, he shifted his eyes towards XuanNan, he hope his martial grandfather will take the initiative and save him from this predicament.

XuanNan's chess skill is not good, his internal energy all gone, what idea can he come up with? XuanNan stiffen his resolve and was about ask for leniency from Su XingHe, suddenly Xu Zhu took out a white chess-piece from the wooden box and place it on the chessboard. The tile he place it on is a new empty spot which appeared when the group of white chess-piece was sacrificed.

Unexpectedly, this move is logical and sensible. For the past 30 years, Su XingHe has seen the thousand variation and changes in the chess formation, he memorize all the counter-moves thoroughly, no matter what kind of moves his opponent make, they cannot escape his foolproof counter. But Xu Zhu started the match by making a random move and killed a big group of white chess-piece, it greatly violates the basic fundamental of chess, anyone who has the slightest bit of knowledge about chess would never make this move. The move is the same a drawing your own sword and committing suicide. But unexpectedly, when Xu Zhu killed a big group of white chess-piece the situation actually became optimistic, although the black chess-piece occupied a dominant position but the white chess-piece now have some leeway to manoeuvre, unlike previously where the chess pieces tangled with each other and have to guard against losses. Su XingHe never expect such a new situation in the chess formation, he was startled and pondered deeply for a long time, he finally responded with a move.

Previously, Xu Zhu was scared stiff by Su XingHe's palm, his martial grandfather did not speak out to help him and he was at a loss, suddenly a thin and soft voice entered his ear: ”Put the chess piece on the 3rd row 9th column!” Xu Zhu did not bother to search for the person who gave this advice, he didn't care if the advice was correct or wrong, he simply took a white chess-piece, followed the directions given and placed it on the 3rd row 9th column. When Su XingHe responded with a move, the same voice entered Xu Zhu's ear again: ”2nd row 8th column.” Xu Zhu place a white chess-piece on the 2nd row 8th column.

When he made this move, he heard Jumozhi, Murong Fu, Duan Yu, all of them cry out in surprise. Xu Zhu raise his head, he saw looks of admiration and surprise on the faces of the crowd, it seems this move is really exquisite, as for Su XingHe his expression was joyous and full of admiration yet his also fretful and anxious, his long eyebrow kept moving up and down.

Xu Zhu felt suspicious: ”Why is he suddenly so happy? Don't tell me i make a wrong move?” but he immediately had second thoughts: ”Who cares whether its right or wrong, as long as i can respond with 10 moves and above it shows that i played the chess match properly and did not recklessly mess up the chess formation and dishonour his Master, after that he won't take offense anymore.” After Su XingHe responded with another move, he followed the instruction of the person who is secretly helping him and made another move. As he play chess, he kept a careful look out to see if his martial grandfather is secretly instructing him, but XuanNan expression was anxious, it really doesn't seem like him, moreover XuanNan never open his mouth to speak.

The voice in his ear is obviously base on [Transmitting Voice in Secret] technique which requires high level of internal energy, the speaker will use his internal energy to send his speech into the ears of another person, even if there are bystanders nearby they cannot hear the speech at all, but no matter how soft the voice is the speaker still have to open his mouth. Xu Zhu furtively look at the lips of everyone, unexpectedly none of them are moving but he still heard the voice transmit clearly: ”5th row 6th column and take the three black chess-piece!”. Xu Zhu followed the instructions, he pondered: ”This person can only be my martial grandfather, no one else. The rest of the crowd is not related to me, why would they help me? From among the experts, only martial grandfather did not take part, the rest of them took part and got defeated. Martial grandfather has divine skill, he did not move his lips and yet transmit his voice, i wonder when i can reach his level.”

Who would have imagined that the person guiding him is the number one evil under the heaven 'Overflowing with Evil' Duan YanQing. Previously, Duan YanQing was too engrossed in playing chess and Ding ChunQiu took advantage of him, he fire-deviated and commit suicide, luckily Xu Zhu disrupted the chess match and save his life. He saw Su XingHe was very stern when reprimanding Xu Zhu, its very likely he has murderous intentions, thus he immediately transmit his voice and guide Xu Zhu to help him get out of trouble. Duan YanQing is skilled in ventriloquism, he don't need to move his lips when speaking, he use his internal energy to transmit his voice to Xu Zhu's ear, although there are many experts around they did not suspect this underlying trick.

However, after numerous moves, the situation changed greatly, Duan YanQing finally became aware that the secret to this 'Zhen Long' is to use your own white-piece to kill off a large group of white-piece, afterwards this will give rise to power. The chess formation incorporated the principles of 'Counter-attack and escape', you have to deliberately sacrifice your own chess piece and let your opponent take them, afterwards you can achieve success, however people will sacrifice at most 8-9 chess piece in a match, no one will sacrifice more than 10 chess piece in a single move, this move 'Squeeze yourself to death' is really weird and never seen before throughout all ages, even the most brilliant chess expert will never dare think of using such a move. For human, they always think about how to survive and live, nobody will deliberately think of how to die. If Xu Zhu did not close his eyes and make this random move, even after a thousand years, this 'Zhen Long' will still remain unbroken.

Duan YanQing has extremely high chess skill, previously he played chess with the Yellow-Brow Monk at Dali, he dominated the match and the Yellow-Brow Monk was unable to ward him off, currently, after removing a large group of white chess-piece the situation reversed, he no longer needs to worry about the life and death of that large group of white chess-piece, his no long blocked by his own troops, instead he can move around freely which is vastly different from previous situation where he got trapped in.

Jiumozhi, Murong Fu and the rest are unaware that Duan YanQing is secretly guiding, Xu Zhu chess moves are wonderful and brilliant, he captured two small group of black chess-piece in succession, everyone cannot help but cheer.

XuanNan muttered to himself: ”Originally, this chess match is tangled in gains and losses, victory and defeat, thus no one can break it, when Xu Zhu made his move he didn't care about life or death, he didn't care about victory or defeat, unexpectedly he manage to break through this life and death situation and finally free himself......” XuanNan comprehended the principles faintly, however his still hesitant and unsure, he spent his entire life studying martial arts, however its different from the martial arts prescribed by Buddhism, suddenly he pondered: ”Deaf Mute Old Man and the Eight Friends of HanGu indulged in miscellaneous skills, in the end their martial arts fell short against Ding ChunQiu, previously i make fun of them and say they deviate from their original path. But i spent my entire life practicing martial arts, i was not diligent in practicing Buddhist meditation, i am anxious about life and death, i am even worse and also deviate from my original path.” As he thought of this, his entire body break out in cold sweat.

Initially, Duan Yu paid close attention to the chess match, but afterwards he just stare at Wang YuYan, he became even more dejected as he look at her, Wang YuYan's gaze never left Murong Fu. Duan Yu pondered: ”Its better for me to simply leave, its better for me to simply leave! I will only suffer more misery if i stay here, maybe i will even vomit blood.” But how can he willingly take his gaze off Wang YuYan? His in deep thoughts: ”I will wait for Miss Wang to turn her head over to me, then i will tell her: 'Miss Wang, congratulations in meeting your cousin, today fate brought us together and we see each other again. I will be leaving now!' if she reply: 'Ok, please leave!' then i will simply leave. But if she reply: 'There is no hurry, i still have something to say to you' then i will stay and wait for her instruction.”

However in reality, Duan Yu is fully aware that Wang YuYan will never turn around and look at him, she will never say: 'There is no hurry, i still have something to say to you'. Suddenly, Wang YuYan's head started moving slightly. Duan Yu heart start thumping madly: ”She is turning her head over!” but she only gave a soft sigh and call out softly: ”Cousin!”

Murong Fu's attention is focused on the chess match, he saw the white chess-piece had gained the upper hand, its currently advancing forward and pressing, he thought: ”I can come up with these few moves easily. But the first move is always difficult, the first move is simply too weird, i will never be able to think of it.” Unexpectedly he did not hear Wang YuYan calling him.

Wang YuYan gave another soft sigh and she slowly turns her head.

DuanYu's heart start jumping madly: ”She is turning her head over! She is turning her head over!”

Sure enough, the pretty face of Wang YuYan turn and face him. Du Yan saw she is slightly depress, there is hidden bitterness in her eyes, he pondered: ”After arriving with Murong Fu, her expression was always happy and joyous, how come she is not happy now? Don't tell me.....don't tell me she worry about me a little?” her gaze move to the right and interlocked with his, Duan Yu took a step forward, his about to say: ”Miss Wang, you have something to say?” but Wang YuYan's gaze slowly move away and look at a distant place, once again her gaze return back to Murong Fu.

Duan Yu's heart plunged, he felt endlessly agony: ”She did look at me, but it is 10 times worse than if she didn't look at me at all. She look at me but she still ignore me. She look at me but i never registered in her heart. She is only thinking about the affairs of her cousin, why would she even care about Duan Yu. Sigh, its better to simply leave, its better to simply leave!”

As for Xu Zhu, he followed the instructions of Duan YanQing and made another move, looking at the current situation, no matter how the black chess-piece responds it will definitely be taken by the white chess-piece, but if the black chess-piece takes a step back then the white chess-piece can rush out of this encirclement, at that time the white chess-piece will have the entire field and the black chess-piece will not be able to keep up anymore.

Su XingHe pondered for a long time, he smiled and made a move. Duan YanQing transmitted his voice: ”7th row 8th column!” Xu Zhu followed his instruction, although Xu Zhu chess skill is poor but he still knows enough and his aware that the 'Zhen Long' is already broken, he clap his hands and smiled: ”It seems its over?”

Su XingHe is smiling, he cupped his hands and said: ”Little divine monk is talented and brave, congratulations.”

Xu Zhu quickly returns the courtesy and said: ”I don't dare, i didn't make this......” his about to say that he receives guidance from his martial grandfather, the voice transmitted into his ear again: ”You cannot reveal this secret between us. You are still in danger, you have to be extra cautious.” Xu Zhu thought it was another instruction from XuanNan, he immediately said: ”Yes, yes!”

Su XingHe stood up and said: ”My Master arrange this chess formation, for over 10 years no one is able to break it, little divine monk finally broke this 'Zhen Long', i really can't thank you enough.” Xu Zhu don't understand the underlying reason, he said modestly: ”Its just an accident, its all thanks to the elders here, old senior you really flatter me, i don't deserve your praise.”

Su XingHe walk to the front of the three wooden house, he held out his hand to respectfully welcome the guest and said: ”Little divine monk, please enter!”

Xu Zhu saw these three houses are really odd, there are no doors, he don't know how to enter or what his suppose to do when he enters, he stood at his location and is undecided. Suddenly the voice transmit into his ear again: ”You finally open up a path on the chess match, its all due to a hard and painful battle. There is no door on the wooden house, just use your Shaolin martial arts to forcibly create a path.” Xu Zhu said: ”Please pardon my offense!” he entered into horse stance, he raise his right hand and strike his palm on the wooden board.

His martial art is limited, previously Ding ChunQiu wave his sleeve and he immediately collapsed, the XingXiu disciples captured him easily, his situation was really lucky and he manage to preserve his internal energy. But in front of so many martial art experts, his palm strength is really insignificant and not worth mentioning, luckily the wooden board is not strong, there is a 'KaLa' sound and the wooden board split open to reveal a small crack. Xu Zhu strike his palm 2 more times and finally manage to cleave open the wooden board, but his palm already felt painful.

Crocodile Deity of Southern Sea burst into loud laughter and said: ”The hard and strong skill of Shaolin is really sloppy and ordinary.” Xu Zhu turn his head and said: ”Junior monk is the most useless disciple from Shaolin, my martial art is superficial, but it doesn't mean the martial arts of Shaolin is lousy.” Suddenly the voice transmit into his ear: ”Quickly enter, don't turn your head back, ignore the bystanders!” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes!” he move forward and quickly entered the house.

He heard Ding ChunQiu shout: ”This is the house of my sect, little monk how can you enter without permission?” immediately there is two loud slamming sound, Xu Zhu felt a burst of strong wind coming at him, its trying to drag him back out, but immediately after he felt two violent force bumping his back and buttocks, he cannot help but somersault straight into the house.

Xu Zhu narrowly escape death, just now Ding ChunQiu send out his palm and made a sneak attack, his trying to kill him, Jiumozhi use his [Controlling Crane Skill] to try and drag him out. But Duan YanQing use his crutch to block the palm from Ding ChunQiu, Su XingHe stood between Xu Zhu and Jiumozhi, his left hand dissipate the [Controlling Crane Skill], his right palm smack two times and send Xu Zhu into the house.

The power in the two palm is strong and violent, Xu Zhu body smash through a wooden partition and his forehead smash through another wooden partition again, he became dizzy and disorientated, he fainted, after a long time he finally stood up and touch his forehead, its already swollen and there is a huge lump. He look around, the house is deserted and empty. He tried to look for a door but the house did not have any windows or doors, there is only a hole made when he smash through the wooden partition. He stand around stupidly and finally thought of crawling out through the hole.

But suddenly he heard a deep and low voice of an old man coming from a wooden partition: ”Since your here, why you still wish to go out?”

Xu Zhu turn his body around and said: ”I invite old senior to give direction and point out the path.”

The voice said: ”You create your own path, nobody can teach you. My chess formation, no one can break it for over 10 years, you finally broke it today, what are you waiting for come over here!”

When Xu Zhu heard the words 'my chess formation' his hairs stood up and he cannot help but be terrified, he trembled and said: ”You....you.....” he heard Su XingHe narrate how the chess formation was created by his 'deceased master', but this voice, is it human or ghost? The voice said again: ”Opportunity is fleeting, i waited for 30 years, i don't have much time to wait for you anymore, good child, quickly come here!”

The voice is kind and benevolent, evidently he did not have any evil intention, immediately Xu Zhu use his left shoulder to bang the wooden partition, 'KaLa KaLa', the wooden board had long decayed and rot, a hole open up immediately.

Xu Zhu gave a quick glance and entered, he was startled, its yet another deserted room, however a person is sitting in midair. The first thought that came to his mind was: ”Ghost!” he was so frighten that he wanted to turn around and escape, but he hear the person say: ”Sigh, its a little monk! Sigh, its a ugly little monk, difficult, difficult, difficult! Sigh, difficult, difficult, difficult!”

Xu Zhu heard him sigh 3 times and said 'difficult' 6 times, he concentrated and look at the man, he finally saw clearly, it seems there is a black rope around the body of the man, the rope is attached to a beam and his suspended in midair. But the wooden partition is coloured black, the rope is also black, thus he can't differentiate the rope immediately and he assumed the man is sitting in midair.

Xu Zhu's appearance is quite ugly, he have thick eyebrows and big eyes, his nostril tilted upwards, his ears fan out, his lips very thick, moreover his sustained injuries on his face when he smash through the wooden partition and this made him even more unsightly. He lost both his parents since childhood, the monks at Shaolin Temple are merciful and they adopted him, at the temple his either studying or practicing martial arts, nobody cared about his appearance. There is a Buddhist saying: The body is merely mortal flesh, whether this mortal flesh is good looking or not has no relations to Buddhist cultivation. Nevertheless, this is his first time hearing someone call him an 'ugly monk'.

He raise his head slightly and look at the man. His beard is 3 chi long but none of it grizzled, his face is like jade and without any wrinkles, although his quite old but he glows with heath and vigour, his elegant and poise. Xu Zhu felt ashamed: ”Comparing appearance, we are heaven and earth apart.” Currently he has no more fear, he bow to pay his respects and said: ”Junior monk is Xu Zhu, i pay my respects to senior.”

The man nod his head and said: ”What is your surname?” Xu Zhu was startled and said: ”There is no surname for a person who enters monkhood.” The man said: ”Before you enter monkhood, what is your surname?” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk became a monk since childhood, i don't have a surname.”

The man stare at him for a long time, he sigh and said: ”You can break my chess formation, your intelligence and wisdom is obviously no small matter, but you appearance really cannot make it, sigh, very difficult. In the end i wasted my effort and even sacrifice your life in vain. Little master, i will present you with a gift, just take it and go!”

Xu Zhu listen to the tone of the old man, it seems he has an extremely important and difficult problem and he worry because no one can help him, the < Mahayana Sutras> says: 'Save all living things from suffering', Xu Zhu immediately said: ”Junior monk's chess skill is really superficial, i did not break senior's chess formation. But if senior has any difficult problems to settle, although my skills are lowly i am willing to try my best and help you, as for the gift, i don't dare to accept.”

The old man said: ”You have such chivalrous heart, not bad. You chess skill is low, martial art superficial, all these are irrelevant, fate brought us together and you are able to come here. But.....but....your appearance is simply too ugly.” As he said this he shakes his head repeatedly.

Xu Zhu gave a faint smile and said: ”I can't control my appearance, even my parents can't control it. Junior monk is ugly and made senior unhappy, i will take my leave immediately.” As he finish speaking he retreated 2 steps.

As Xu Zhu was about to turn his body, the old man said: ”Wait!” his sleeves rise up and landed on Xu Zhu's right shoulder. Xu Zhu felt his body sink, the sleeve felt like an arm, its pulling his body. The old man ask: ”Those who came here to break the chess formation, who are they?” Xu Zhu reported their identities to him. The old man muttered to himself for a long time, and said: ”6-7 out of 10 martial art experts under the heaven are here. Great Master KuRong from Dali's Heavenly Dragon Monastery, he didn't come?” Xu Zhu replied: ”Other than the monks from my Shaolin, the only other monk is Great Master Juimozhi.”

The old man ask again: ”For the past few years i heard there is someone called Qiao Feng in the martial arts fraternity, his truly capable, he didn't come?” Xu Zhu said: ”No.”

The old man gave another sigh and mumbled to himself: ”I waited for so many years, even if i carry on waiting i might not be able to meet a well-rounded person with perfect qualities. In life things don't always go as planned, i just have to make do with it.” He mumbled for a short while he finally seem to come to a decision, he said: ”Just now you said you did not break the chess formation, then how come Su XingHe send you in here?”

Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk is ignorant, i closed my eyes and randomly make the first move, afterwards my martial grandfather XuanNan use his internal energy to transmit his voice to me and secretly help me to play chess.” Immediately he narrated all the details on how he manage to break the chess formation.

The old man sigh and said: ”Its fated, its fated!” suddenly his frown went away and he smiled: ”Its fated, you close your eyes and accidentally break my chess formation, this shows that your affinity for fortune is deep, maybe you can handle my big problem. Very well, very well, good child, keel down and kowtow!”

Xu Zhu grew up in Shaolin Temple since childhood, everyday he meet his master, martial grandfather, great martial uncle, etc, all of them his elders, even among his peers, there are countless monks who are older than him or had better martial arts, thus he is used to obeying orders. As disciple of Buddhism, he have to be modest, when the old man ask him to kowtow although he don't know the reason but his still a senior in the martial arts fraternity, its natural to give a few kowtow, immediately he respectfully knelt down and kowtow 4 times, as he was about to stand up the old man smiled and said: ”Give another 5 kowtow, this is the rule of our sect.” Xu Zhu replied: ”Yes!” and he gave another 5 kowtow.

The old man said: ”Good child, good child, come over here!” Xu Zhu stood up and walk towards him.

The old man grab his wrist, he examined him from top to bottom. Suddenly Xu Zhu felt his artery warm up, a burst of internal energy rise up from his arm and rapidly rush to his chest, he cannot help it and immediately use the energy cultivation method of Shaolin to try and resist. The internal energy of the old man made contact with his own energy and withdraw immediately, nothing happen to him. Xu Zhu knew the old man is trying to test his level of internal energy, his ears turned red and he laugh bitterly: ”Junior monk normally studies Buddhist scriptures, in my free time i love to play around, i never properly practice the internal energy cultivation method imparted by my master, old senior you must have found it laughable.”

Unexpectedly the old man is very happy, he laugh and said: ”Very good, very good, your Shaolin internal energy is shallow, it really saves me a great deal of trouble.” While he was speaking, Xu Zhu felt his entire body turn soft, its as if he was submerge in a hot bath tub, the pores on his body all seems to be emitting heat, he felt relax and free.

The old man released his wrist, he laugh and said: ”Its done, i used my sect's [Divine Skill of the Northern Darkness] and absorb all your Shaolin internal energy!”

Xu Zhu had a huge shock, he shouted: ”Wh......what?” he jump up, as he landed his knees softens and he sat down on the floor, he felt his four limbs and all the bones turned completely limp and painful, he was dizzy, its as if the world is spinning, he knew this old man did not bluff him, grief and sorrow burst forth and tears stream down his eyes, he cried: ”I.....i....have no quarrels or enmity with you, i didn't offend you, why must you harm me like this?”

The old man smiled and said: ”How can you be so rude? You didn't address me as Master, still using words like 'you', how can you not have any manners?” Xu Zhu was frightened and said: ”What? How can you be my Master?” the old man said: ”Just now you kowtow 9 times, you formally became my apprentice and paid you respects.” Xu Zhu said: ”No, no! I am a Shaolin disciple, how can i take you as my Master? You use evil sorcery to harm other people, i definitely won't learn it.” He finish speaking and struggled to stand up.

The old man laugh and said: ”You really don't want to learn?” he wave both his hands, his sleeves flew out and landed on Xu Zhu's shoulder. Xu Zhu felt his shoulder is incomparably heavy, he cannot stand up anymore, his knees soften and he immediately sat down, he said: ”Even if you kill me i still won't learn.”

The old man laugh out loudly, suddenly his figure rise up, he somersaulted in midair, he landed and sat down, both his hands gripping onto Xu Zhu's wrist.

Xu Zhu was alarmed and said: ”You....what you trying to do?” he felt two burning heat stream, its as if boiling water is rushing into his 'Huizong acupoint' at both his hands, he cannot help but shout loudly: ”Ayo!” and he struggled furiously, but the two heat stream is like the Yangtze river and it surge forth, he cannot resist at all, it flow from his arm to his chest, it gathered at his 'Shanzhong acupoint'.

Xu Zhu is extremely terrified, he swing his hands, trying to fling off the person holding onto his wrist, when he swing, he felt his arm turn soft, he didn't have the slightest bit of strength, he felt really anxious: ”After getting hit by his demonic sorcery, i lost all my martial arts and now i don't even have strength to wear clothes or eat a meal, from now on i am handicapped, what should i do?” his at a loss, he cry out loudly, suddenly he felt the heat gathered in his 'Shanzhong acupoint' all separated into 100 thin strand of heat and scatter to the rest of his acupoints throughout his body, he can't even make a sound from his mouth, he pondered: ”Not good, i am going to die!” but he felt his four limbs getting hotter and hotter, instantly he felt his head spin, his underbelly and skull is about to explode, after a while he cannot hold it anymore and fainted.

He felt his entire body become as light as a feather, it seems as if his soaring on cloud and riding on mist, his roaming freely in heaven, suddenly his body felt ice-cold, it seems as if his submerged in the deepest sea, his having fun with playing with fish, suddenly his in a temple studying, and then his practicing martial arts diligently, but no matter how hard he practice he can never master it. As he start to feel anxious, suddenly it rained heavily, the raindrops landed on his body, but the raindrops felt hot.

Gradually his head start to clear and he became sober, he open his eyes, his lying down on the floor, the old man had released his wrist and is sitting beside him, the old man is covered entirely with sweat and the sweat drip continuously onto his body, the old man's cheek, head, neck, hairs, sweat seep out everywhere.

Xu Zhu sat up and said: ”You.....” he only manage to say one word as he was startled, the old man seems to have changed completely into a different person, originally his face was spotlessly white and handsome, but now his face is covered with countless deep wrinkles that intersect with each other, his thick crop of hair had all fallen off, his black long beard turned white. Xu Zhu first thought was: ”I fainted for how many years? 30 years? 50 years? How come this person aged over 10 years?” the man in front of him look extremely old, if his not 120 years old, his at least 100 years old.

The old man squinted, he smiled weakly at him and said: ”Success! Good child, you have deep fortune, you far surpass my expectations, go on try it out, smack your palm at that wooden partition!”

Xu Zhu don't understand the reason, he followed his orders and send out a palm, there is a 'Ka La La” sound, half of the wooden partition collapsed, its even more powerful than bumping the wall 10 times using his full strength. Xu Zhu was scared stiff, he said: ”What....what is the reason?”

The old man is smiling broadly, his really happy, he also said: ”What....what is the reason?” Xu Zhu said: ”How come....how come i am so powerful?” the old man smiled and said: ”You have yet to practice the palm moves of our sect, at the moment, you can't even utilize 10% of your internal energy. Your Master practiced diligently and painstakingly for 70 years, how can it be ordinary?”

Xu Zhu suddenly jump up, he knew something bad has happened, he shouted: ”You....you.....what 70 years of diligent and painstaking practice?” the old man smiled and said: ”You still don't understand? You really haven't realize it yet?”

Xu Zhu faintly knew what the old man is referring to, but this matter is simply too abrupt and inconceivable, its really hard to accept it, he said: ”Old senior imparte a set of divine art....a set of divine art to junior monk correct?”

The old man smiled and said: ”You still refuse to address me as Master?” Xu Zhu lowered his head and said: ”Junior monk is Shaolin disciple, i cannot deceive my ancestor and join another sect.” the old man said: ”You don't have any trace of Shaolin martial arts in you anymore, you still claim you are Shaolin disciple? Your body contains 70 years of Carefree Sect's divine skill, how can you not be the disciple of our sect?” Xu Zhu never heard of 'Carefree Sect' before, he said: ”Carefree Sect?” the old man smiled and said: ”Riding on heaven and earth, governing the 6 elements, roaming endlessly, that is carefree. Try jumping up and test it out!”

Xu Zhu felt really curious, he bend his knees and exerted force in his legs, he jump up lightly. Suddenly there is a crashing sound, he felt sharp pain on top of his head, light shine into his eyes, half his body penetrated through the roof and his still rising up, he quickly stretch out his hands to grab the roof and landed back on the floor, he jump up and down a few time before stopping, this kind of lightness martial arts is simply unimaginable, at the moment his not happy at all, instead he felt really scared.

The old man said: ”How was it?” Xu Zhu said: ”I....i became a devil?” the old man said: ”Sit down here quietly and listen to my explanation. There is not much time left, i can only talk about the most important stuff. Since you refuse to address me as Master and is unwilling to change sect, i won't force you anymore. Little master, i beg you to help me on a big matter, you have to do something for me, can you promise me?”

Xu Zhu likes to help people, there are 6 Paramita in Buddhism, Dana is ranked 1st, when people meet with problems he should put in his best effort and help, he said: ”Senior's order, i will do my utmost to fulfil it.” when he said the words suddenly he remembers that the martial arts of this old man seems to be top ranking unorthodox evil skill, he quickly said: ”But if senior orders junior monk to break the law and commit crimes, then i won't comply.”

The old man laugh bitterly and ask: ”What is break the law and commit crimes?” Xu Zhu stare blankly, he said: ”Junior monk is a follower of Buddhism, harming others or inflict sufferings, i will never agree to do such stuff.” The old man said: ”If there is someone in this world that specializes in harming people, breaking the law and committing crimes, killing countless people, i order you to go kill this person, will you agree?” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk will persuade him and give advice, ask him to turn over a new leaf and do good.” The old man said: ”What if he persist in his wrong doings?” Xu Zhu straighten his body and said: ”Subdue the demon and eliminate the evil. But junior monk's ability is limited, i am afraid i can't shoulder this heavy responsibility.”

The old man said: ”Then you agree to it?” Xu Zhu nod his head and said: ”I agree!” the old man's expression is joyous, he said: ”Very good, very good! I want you to kill someone, his a great evil, his my disciple Ding ChunQiu, currently his known as Old Freak of XingXiu.”

Xu Zhu gave a sigh, such a heavy burden, he personally witness how the Old Freak of XingXiu only need to say 1 sentence and killed 10 carriage drivers, his truly a great evil, even his martial grandfather XuanNan had all his internal energy dissolved by Ding ChunQiu's sorcery, he said: ”Getting rid of Old Freak of XingXiu is a great achievement, but junior monk's martial art is superficial, how can i......” as he said this, his gaze interlocked with the old man, the old man's expression is mocking, at once he remembered, the phrase 'martial art is superficial' seems incorrect, he immediately stop talking.

The old man said: ”Currently, with your superficial martial arts, you are not beneath the Old Freak of XingXiu, but you don't have someone to guide you, you can't use this energy properly, to exterminate him completely its indeed still not enough, but don't worry, old man already made arrangements.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk heard from Benefactor Xue MuHua, XingXiu Sea Ding.....Benefactor Ding's evil conduct, i only know senior was killed by him, but senior is still alive, then.....then its very good, very good.”

The old man sigh and said: ”This rebellious disciple is in cahoots with my martial sister, they suddenly revolted, i was beaten into a deep ravine, old man was caught off guard and almost died by their hands. Luckily my martial sister was troubled by her conscience, she stop him from dealing the final blow, and my eldest disciple Su XingHe played deaf-mute, he tempted Ding ChunQiu with various secret skills of our sect, old man struggled at death's door and survive for another 30 years. XingHe's aptitude is pretty good, but its a pity he was led astray by me, he got distracted and learnt zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, etc, all these trivial stuff, its impossible for him to learn my upper-level martial arts. For the past 30 years, i long to find a smart disciple who can concentrate, i will then impart my lifetime of martial arts to him and send him to exterminate Ding ChunQiu. But opportunity is fleeting, those who are smart had bad character, its like raising a tiger and bringing future disaster, but those with good character had insufficient comprehension. I am nearing my natural life span, i cannot wait anymore, thus i publicly displayed the 'Zhen Long' which i created years ago to look for a handsome and talented person. I already reach the limits of my lifespan, there is no time for me to teach martial arts, thus this last disciple of mine must be a handsome and smart youngster.”

Xu Zhu listen to him mention 'handsome and smart', he knew his not smart, as for 'handsome' its completely out of the question, he lowered his head and said: ”There are quite a few handsome people in this world, there are 2 individual just outside, the first one is gentleman Murong, the other is gentleman Duan. Junior monk will invite them in to see you, how is it?”

The old man laugh and said: ”I use my [Divine Skill of the Northern Darkness] and pour my 70 years of internal energy cultivation into your body, how can i accept another disciple?”

Xu Zhu was alarmed, he said: ”Senior....senior you really pass on your lifetime of energy cultivation to junior monk? Then.....then....”

The old man said: ”Currently, its really hard to say if this is a blessing or disaster. Superior martial art is not necessarily a good thing. In this world, there are people who don't know any martial arts, they are carefree and without worries, they don't compete and struggle, they have less worries because they have very little? In the past, if i learn zither and chess, learn literature and painting, but don't learn any martial arts, then my life will be much happier.” As he finish speaking he gave another long sigh, he raised his head and look at the hole in the roof made by Xu Zhu, he seems to be thinking about past events, after a long time he finally said: ”Good child, Ding ChunQiu only know i have long died by his hands, thus he act without restrain. I have a painting here, it shows my former residence where i live in ease and comfort, the place is at Dali Kingdom's WuLiang Cave, go there and find the martial arts manuals which i have hidden, follow them and practice, your martial arts will be on par with Ding ChunQiu. But your aptitude is not very good, if you practice the martial arts of our sect i am afraid you will meet many obstruction and your progress will be sluggish, maybe you will meet numerous disasters and dangers as well. You should beg that woman staying in the cave and ask her to guide you. But if she sees your appearance, most likely she will refuse to teach you, you should request her help on my account......*cough*.......*cough*.” As he said this he kept coughing repeatedly, his gasping for breath, he took out a small scroll from his bosom and stuff it into Xu Zhu's hands.

Xu Zhu felt really awkward, he said: ”Junior monk have yet to complete my training, i receive my master's order to deliver letters, i should go back to the temple and report, in the future i also have to act according to my master's orders. If my master or abbot forbid, then i cannot follow the wishes of senior.”

The old man laugh bitterly and said: ”If this is the will of heaven, allowing a evil person to run amuck, then there is nothing i can do, you.....you.....” as he said 'you' 2 times, suddenly his entire body trembled, he slowly stoop down, his hands pushing against the ground, it seems his about to collapse.

Xu Zhu was shock, he quickly extend his hands and supported him, he said: ”Old....old senior, what happen to you?” the old person said: ”I already pass on my 70 years of energy cultivation to you, i reached the end of my natural life span, child, you still refuse to call me Master?” as he said this his already gasping for breath.

Xu Zhu saw the old man's expression is pitiful and his gaze pleading, his heart soften and he blurted out 'Master'.

The old man was jubilant, he forcefully took off a gem ring from his left finger and tried to put in to Xu Zhu's finger, but he exhausted all his strength and can't grip Xu Zhu's wrist. Xu Zhu call out: ”Master!” and he wore the ring on his finger.

The old man said: ”Good.....good! You are my 3rd disciple, when you see Su XingHe, you.....you should call him senior martial brother. What is your surname?” Xu Zhu said: ”I really don't know.”

The old man said: ”Its a pity your appearance is ugly, there might be some awkward or embarrassing moments, but you are the leader of Carefree Sect, by right the woman should not disobey your orders, very good, very good.....” his voice became softer and softer, when he said the 2nd 'very good' it seems as if his whispering, suddenly he laugh heartily, his body tilt forward, there is a crashing sound as his forehead hit the floor, he was motionless.

Xu Zhu quickly supported the old man, he check his breath, his already dead, he quickly press his hands together and chanted: ”Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, i beseech Amituofo, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, please guide this old man to his afterlife in Sukhavati.”

He met this old man for no more than 1 hour, there isn't much relationship, but his body contains 70 years of the old man's internal energy cultivation, he faintly felt this old man is his closest kin, it can also be said that a part of this old man became him, suddenly sorrow and grief overwhelm him and he burst into tears and sob loudly.

After crying for a while, he knelt on the floor and paid his respects to the remains of the old man, he pray in silence: ”Old senior, i called you Master, that is fake, please don't take it seriously. You are not aware of it but please don't blame me.” He complete his prayer, he turn around and went out through the hole in the wooden partition, he leap lightly, he immediately flew past 2 wooden partition and arrive outside the house.