"Your Excellency possesses profound skills, and I greatly admire you. However, what's the difference between you and Ji Mo Zhi?" Ku Rong said.
"No need for wolfish ambitions; it's futile against me. Up to this point, it seems that none of you have successfully mastered the complete Six Meridians Divine Sword. It's indeed a lack of competence not to have your own family's martial arts fully mastered. But if the ancestral martial art is lost, it would be a great pity. Besides, we're all Han people. It's better to have it stay with us than to hand it over to the Tubo people," Yang Xuan provocatively stated.
Just then, there were sounds of Buddhist scriptures and the ringing of sacred instruments from outside the temple, indicating a significant event.
Yang Xuan observed the grandiosity of Ji Mo Zhi's entrance and couldn't help but feel that a true master of Buddhism wouldn't display such extravagance.
"Neither withering nor prospering, neither false nor empty," Ji Mo Zhi entered and spoke with a sense of humility, concealing his underlying arrogance.
A heated verbal exchange began between the two sides. It was clear that Ji Mo Zhi desired the Six Meridians Divine Sword, which intrigued some of the monks. However, Ku Rong saw through the situation, realizing that their own martial arts weren't perfected. Learning another one wouldn't serve much purpose.
While the battle between Ji Mo Zhi and the monks raged on, Yang Xuan seized the opportunity to retrieve the Six Meridians Divine Sword manual from a table under a cloth.
"I'm going to learn this."
"Success in learning."
Yang Xuan immediately began perusing the manual. He discovered that one needed to reach the fourth level of proficiency in the One Yang Finger before they could begin practicing the Six Meridians Divine Sword. With his profound internal energy, he could bypass this step. The Six Meridians Divine Sword consisted of six techniques:
- Right thumb - Taiyin Lung Meridian - Shaoshang Sword: Notable for its strength and unstoppable force.
- Right index finger - Yangming Large Intestine Meridian - Shangyang Sword: Characterized by clever flexibility and unpredictability.
- Right middle finger - Jueyin Pericardium Meridian - Zhongchong Sword: Possesses grand and majestic power.
- Right ring finger - Shaoyang Triple Burner Meridian - Guanchong Sword: Wins through a seemingly simple and plain approach.
- Right little finger - Shaoyin Heart Meridian - Shaoshang Sword: Known for its light and swift movements.
- Left little finger - Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian - Shaole Sword: Suddenly appearing and disappearing, with subtle and intricate changes.
Feeling the power of the Six Meridians Divine Sword within him, Yang Xuan couldn't help but feel speechless. The manual itself wasn't particularly extraordinary. Its effectiveness depended on the practitioner's internal strength. With strong internal energy, it could be devastating, akin to a machine gun. Conversely, with weak internal energy, no amount of practice would yield significant results.
It was evident that the founding emperor, Duan Siping, must have been exceptionally gifted in internal cultivation to create such a martial art relying heavily on internal energy.
"Master, it's done. I've finished reviewing the Six Meridians Divine Sword. Since I owe you a favor, I'll deal with Ji Mo Zhi for you," Yang Xuan said to Ku Rong.
Ku Rong had no choice but to agree. Yang Xuan had the upper hand in this situation, and it was clear that he was not an ordinary individual. Ku Rong had only taken a brief look, but he had already learned the technique.
At that moment, the people of Tianlong Temple who had been battling Ji Mo Zhi were defeated and their combined internal energy headed in the direction of Yang Xuan and Ku Rong. Yang Xuan, understanding the penetrative nature of their attacks, focused his internal energy and vital energy into his left hand to extinguish their violent assault.
"Ji Mo Zhi, I've spared Tianlong Temple for you. If you don't yield, we can spar," Yang Xuan threatened, using his finger to tap menacingly against Ji Mo Zhi's head.
Ji Mo Zhi couldn't possibly be frightened away so easily. As a prominent monk, he had traveled extensively and encountered many situations. Based on his habitual thinking, he likely believed that Yang Xuan had used some unorthodox method to create such a spectacular scene.
"Not yet properly introduced. Your Excellency, how should I address you?" Ji Mo Zhi attempted to inquire politely.
"My name is Yang Xuan. Just call me that," Yang Xuan replied nonchalantly.
"Ji Mo Zhi is the national master of Tubo. His death in Dali would undoubtedly lead to a devastating war, causing massive suffering," Ku Rong explained.
"Alright, it's because I owe you a favor. When I do things, I do them for my peace of mind. I've reviewed your Six Meridians Divine Sword, and from now on, if there's anything, I can handle it. I'll help you," Yang Xuan turned to Ji Mo Zhi and added, "You're supposed to be a well-respected monk. Why are you coveting martial arts secrets? Don't you know about the Three Poisons of Buddhism: greed, anger, and delusion? It seems you've fallen prey to all three."
"I'm just following my own vow. I need to burn the Six Meridians Divine Sword manual at Mr. Murong Bo's tomb," Ji Mo Zhi struggled to explain.
"Nonsense. Your vow is far too overbearing. Besides, are you genuinely sincere or do you want to learn the Six Meridians Divine Sword? I reckon you're using this as an excuse to secretly study it, aren't you?" Yang Xuan taunted.
"Ridiculous! How could I, the revered Tubo national master, commit such a petty act?" Ji Mo Zhi replied indignantly, attempting to refute the accusations.
"Lucky for you, today, the people of Tianlong Temple pleaded for you. You can keep your martial arts manuals. I'll let you go," Yang Xuan stated.
"Really?" Ji Mo Zhi asked, uncertain.
"No need for your nonsense. You're just a lousy monk," Yang Xuan said disdainfully.
Ji Mo Zhi reluctantly took out the manual for the Fire Blade Technique and said, "Here you go. Now, please let me go."
"You, don't you fear the Buddha's judgment? You're not sincere at all. Moreover, the Small Unfettered Mind Technique and Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique, hand them over too," Yang Xuan demanded loudly.
"How do you know about those?" Ji Mo Zhi appeared alarmed, as if he had remembered something terrifying. He stammered as he responded, "Now that you have the upper hand, whether or not I'm sincere, the choice is yours."
With the manuals in his possession, Yang Xuan teased, "Now that you're cooperative, it's much better. A devout monk like you, overcome by the Three Poisons, needs some help to find redemption. Let me assist you." With that, Yang Xuan used his North Ocean Divine Art to absorb all of Ji Mo Zhi's internal energy.
"Abs... absorption technique!" Ji Mo Zhi exclaimed with alarm.
"Forget it. This absorption technique can't compare to my martial arts. You're left without any martial arts now. Go back and be a pious monk. If you ever cause trouble in the Central Plains again, I'll deal with you. Understand?" Yang Xuan warned.
If not for finding Ji Mo Zhi somewhat agreeable, Yang Xuan might have arranged an ambush to eliminate him later. By allowing Ji Mo Zhi to return, there was at least a chance for him to become a genuinely enlightened monk. A flourishing Buddhist tradition could help quell the martial spirit in the country, which would be beneficial to the Great Song Dynasty.
