Immediately afterwards, they felt the immense pressure slowly recede, their eyes regained their sight, their ears could hear again, and they regained control of their bodies.
The scene shifts back to the Zhenwu Hall, where Zhang Sanfeng and Xiao Ning appear before the six heroes of Wudang.
Xiao Ning smiled lightly, but it made the six heroes of Wudang involuntarily take a step back, as if they had encountered the most terrifying thing in the world. In their eyes, Xiao Ning's smile was like the smile of a demon from the abyss.
Even though they didn't know what the abyss was.
At this moment, Zhang Sanfeng said in a low voice, "They have probably been called heroes for a long time, and I have neglected to discipline them, which has made them forget their own worth and become arrogant and conceited. I hope you will not take it to heart and forgive them."
Hearing their master's seemingly pleading tone, the six heroes of Wudang blushed, their noses tingled, and tears welled up in their eyes.
My master has roamed the martial world freely for decades. When has he ever humbled himself like this?
Now, because of our recklessness, we have offended this inexperienced senior uncle, forcing our master to bow down for our sake. How can anyone bear such a situation?
"Brother, you flatter me. I was merely teaching them the principle that there are always people more capable than you!"
Xiao Ning waved his hand and replied.
At this moment, seeing the six heroes of Wudang secretly glancing in their direction, Zhang Sanfeng glared at them and scolded, "What are you all standing there like idiots for? Come over and pay your respects to your martial uncle!"
"Greetings, Martial Uncle!" ×6
Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, and the other five exchanged glances, then stepped forward, bowed, and respectfully kowtowed.
Mo Shenggu was already terrified and kowtowed, saying, "Junior nephew was blind and did not recognize the true face of Mount Tai. Please forgive junior uncle for his disrespect!"
"Never mind, it's a trivial matter, I didn't take it to heart!"
Seeing that his show of force had worked, Xiao Ning smiled slightly, waved his sleeve, and with a surge of immense strength, lifted Mo Shenggu up, saying, "Nephew, there's no need for such formalities!"
He paused, then took out a book from his robes and said, "Since it's our first meeting, I, as your senior uncle, haven't prepared any gifts. How about this, I have a secret manual here, which I'll give to you. I hope it will be of some help to you!"
"this…"
Song Yuanqiao and the others looked at each other in bewilderment, not daring to reach out and take it.
Zhang Sanfeng, who was standing nearby, said, "Since it's from your martial uncle, then accept it!"
Song Yuanqiao nodded, stepped forward, took the book, and said respectfully, "I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder. Thank you, Uncle-Master, for bestowing this secret manual upon me!"
After speaking, Song Yuanqiao took two steps back, holding the book in both hands. He then raised his head and looked at the book in his hands. To his surprise, he saw a large character written on the cover: Nine Yang Divine Skill.
In fact, Xiao Ning made the decision to give away the "Tai Chi Classics" and the "Nine Yang Divine Skill" after careful consideration. It was not out of a misplaced sense of compassion or because they were secret manuals of a major sect.
For Xiao Ning, who had already broken through to the Innate Realm, the Nine Yang Divine Skill was of little use, even useless. Using it to gain the favor of the Seven Heroes of Wudang was a perfect use of the skill.
The Tai Chi Classics were originally created by Zhang Sanfeng, so giving it to him was simply returning it to its rightful owner. This was a way to gain the favor of a martial arts grandmaster, so it was a worthwhile move.
After all the disciples had finished their greetings and their titles had been determined, Zhang Sanfeng invited Xiao Ning to sit in the main seat in the hall. Yin Liting, Mo Shenggu, and others surrounded Song Yuanqiao and watched the "Nine Yang Divine Skill" together.
Zhang Cuishan, who had just returned to the mountain, told Zhang Sanfeng about the events that had happened in the past ten years. He dared not tell about his troubles, but only about the strange things and objects on Ice and Fire Island.
When Zhang Sanfeng heard that he had already married and had children, he was overjoyed and said, "Cuishan, you've actually married? Good, good! Where is your wife? Quickly call her out to see me."
Zhang Cuishan knelt down and said, "Reporting to Master, I was bold to fail to inform you when I took my wife."
Zhang Sanfeng stroked his long beard and laughed, "You couldn't return from Icefire Island for ten years. Did you expect me to wait another ten years to inform me before you could get married? What a joke! Get up! How could I possibly have such a stubborn and incompetent disciple? Fellow Daoist, don't you agree?"
Sitting to the side, Xiao Ning remained silent, listening to the master and disciple reminiscing. When Zhang Sanfeng suddenly asked a question, he smiled and nodded, replying, "Brother Dao is absolutely right. This is the principle of expediency in times of crisis!"
Zhang Cuishan remained kneeling and said in a low voice, "But... my wife's background is illegitimate. She... she is the daughter of Leader Yin of the Heavenly Eagle Sect."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanfeng stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "What does it matter? As long as my wife is of good character, that's all that matters. Besides, even if she isn't, can't we subtly influence her once she's on Wudang Mountain?"
"So what if it's the Sky Eagle Sect? Cuishan, one shouldn't be so narrow-minded. Don't consider yourself a righteous sect and look down on others."
"It is difficult to completely distinguish between the righteous and the evil. If a disciple of the righteous sect has an evil heart, then he is a wicked person; while if a member of the evil sect is wholeheartedly good, then he is a virtuous person."
Zhang Sanfeng's words resonated powerfully, echoing throughout the Zhenwu Hall.
"What you say makes sense, fellow Daoist!"
Xiao Ning nodded in agreement, saying, "As the saying goes, heroes don't ask about their origins! Background doesn't mean anything; character and morality are the most important things!"
Zhang Cuishan was overjoyed. He never expected that his master would just lightly dismiss the matter that had weighed on his mind for ten years with just a few words. Even his junior uncle had agreed. He stood up with a big smile on his face.
Zhang Sanfeng continued, “Although I have never met your father-in-law, we have long admired each other through our spiritual connection. I greatly admire his martial arts skills. He is a generous and upright man. Although he is a bit extreme in temperament and acts eccentrically, he is by no means a despicable person! How could I possibly disagree with this marriage?”
While Song Yuanqiao and the other four were watching "Nine Yang Divine Skill," they all perked up their ears to listen to the conversation between Zhang Sanfeng and Zhang Cuishan.
Upon hearing this, all five of them had the same thought: "Master really has an extraordinary fondness for Fifth Brother. Because of this affection, even his father-in-law, such a great demon, is willing to lower himself to befriend him."
Zhang Cuishan was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Master. I will bring Susu here now and kowtow to pay my respects to you!"
Just then, a young Taoist priest entered, bowed, and said, "Reporting to the Ancestral Master and the Sect Leader, Leader Yin of the Heavenly Eagle Sect has sent someone to deliver gifts to Fifth Uncle. The person has already gone up the mountain and will arrive soon!"
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Chapter 11 On-the-spot confrontation
Yin Tianzheng doted on his daughter Yin Susu, and upon hearing the news that she had married and returned to the Central Plains, he could no longer sit still.
He immediately dispatched his three subordinates, Yin Wufu, Yin Wulu, and Yin Wushou, with generous gifts to his daughter and son-in-law on Mount Wudang, fearing that his daughter might be looked down upon by the heroes of Mount Wudang and suffer the slightest grievance.
It's truly touching to see the boundless love and sacrifice of parents!
After receiving the gifts, Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu saw off Yin Wufu and the other two as they descended the mountain. They then turned and went to the Zhenwu Hall to formally pay their respects to their master, Zhang Sanfeng.