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Lin Ning saw Hu Xueyan and Lin Xiu unanimously recommend him as "Shen Xiu," and he quickly humbly replied, "You two sisters flatter me. It is actually because I have two beauties accompanying me that I am inspired by my surroundings and my thoughts flow swiftly." Lin Xiu raised her cup and downed three drinks, saying, "I lost today's drinking game, so I will punish myself with three cups. But then again, I am just a Ju Xiu; how could I possibly compare to you both, Shen Xiu and Gu Xiu? I fear that every time we play drinking games, the one who ends up punishing herself with three cups will always be me." Hu Xueyan laughed and said, "Well, there’s nothing to be done about it; this is called 'willing to bet and willing to lose.'"
Time flew by, and seven days later it was once again the day for Lin Ning's Silkworm Poison to act up. Hu Chuanmao, Hu Xueyan, Cheng Yun, and others accompanied Lin Ning to the Fallen icicle cave. Cheng Yun used her lightness skill to leap up and struck down the ice pillars at the cave's top, piling them into an ice mountain. Hu Xueyan looked nervously at Lin Ning, and Cheng Yun said, "Let’s all wait outside the cave for now. Ning'er will need to circulate her energy to heal herself; it's best if no one disturbs her." Hu Xueyan and the others complied and exited the Fallen icicle cave, leaving only Lin Ning inside.
Before long, Lin Ning felt a restless heat and unbearable itching pain within him. He hurriedly jumped onto the ice mountain, crossed his legs in a sitting position on top of it, regulated his breathing, and allowed his true energy to flow within his body. The true energy opened up Lin Ning's upper, middle, and lower dantians, then also unblocked the Yuzhen, Jiajing, and Tailing points. Now he only needed to unblock the Ren and Du meridians to let the toxic blood rise up and be expelled through his mouth. However, no matter how hard Lin Ning tried, his vital energy could not pass through the Ren and Du meridians. A wave of anxiety surged in Lin Ning's heart; the heat within him and the pain that felt like thousands of ants biting him made him nearly faint. Lin Ning thought to himself that this was bad; today he might lose his life here. As soon as anxiety arose in his heart, he became flustered; his true energy rampaged within him. He knew that if he couldn't control his true energy in time, it would backfire and injure his heart meridian, leading to a complete rupture of his body's meridians and death.
At the moment when Lin Ning was in despair, a hoarse voice suddenly said, "Child, do not be afraid. Follow my instructions step by step. First, regulate your breathing and let the true energy flow through Zhanhui Zhong, Songmi, chin-rest, lightweight helmet, then impact the mud ball. After that, let the true energy return to the center and enter the middle meridian. Allow the true energy to open the Qihai point, letting it flow up and down, clearing the Ren and Du meridians." Lin Ning had no time to think carefully and followed the steps spoken by the voice. He finally opened the Ren and Du meridians. The toxic blood within Lin Ning flowed upward with the true energy, slowly passing through his throat and reaching his mouth. With a "wow," he spat out a mouthful of toxic blood, knowing that he had finally overcome a critical moment.
Just as Lin Ning was about to speak, the hoarse voice continued, "You have just opened the Ren and Du meridians to expel the poison; do not move recklessly. Every seven days, Silkworm Poison will flare up once, becoming increasingly severe. If this continues, one day you will perish due to exhaustion of internal energy and toxic blood flooding into your heart and lungs." Earlier, Lin Ning had not listened carefully to this person's voice during his life-and-death crisis. Now hearing this deep and hoarse voice again, he suddenly remembered that it was the same voice of the hero who defeated Bai Songpeng at the martial arts conference a few days ago. Lin Ning felt a surge of excitement and hurriedly said, "Thank you for saving my life, senior. Life and death are fated; sometimes what is meant to come or go cannot be prevented by anyone. You need not worry about me!"
Lin Ning looked in the direction of the voice but saw only darkness deep within the cave. The person was silent for a moment before saying, "The Madonna lily on Yunwu Mountain is extremely poisonous and differs greatly from ordinary Madonna lilies. While ordinary Madonna lilies can detoxify and relieve pain, they are unsuitable for those with Yin deficiency and excessive fire. However, the Madonna lily on Yunwu Mountain can both detoxify and relieve pain while being suitable for those with Yin deficiency and excessive fire. But this type of Madonna lily is highly toxic; for an ordinary person, consuming just one flower could be fatal. Perhaps only the Madonna lily from Yunwu Mountain can counteract the Silkworm Poison in your body. However, no one can predict what will happen if you consume this Madonna lily."
Lin Ning replied, "Life and death are fated; I am willing to try this method you mentioned. If I unfortunately perish, it can only be said that it is my fate." The person sighed and said, "Alright, I have just picked a Madonna lily; take it and consume it."
Just as Lin Ning was about to move towards where the voice came from to retrieve the Madonna lily, he suddenly heard a gust of wind from afar. After the sound of wind passed, that very Madonna lily fell right before him. Lin Ning was secretly astonished; judging by how far away that person’s voice seemed—at least twenty zhang away—delivering such a light flower accurately to him from such a distance required skills that even masters like Abbot Zenzi or Bai Songpeng would find difficult to achieve.
Lin Ning picked up the Madonna lily, hesitating for a moment. He thought to himself that if this Madonna lily could not cure his Silkworm Poison, he would die instantly. At that time, his parents and older brother, as well as Xiu'er, would surely be saddened. Even Xue Yin's sister would mourn for him. Well, it was better to end it quickly than to prolong the pain. Rather than let them worry about him every day, it would be better for him to die immediately; after a period of sorrow, they would gradually forget him. With this thought in mind, Lin Ning steeled his heart, took the Madonna lily, chewed it, and swallowed it.
Moments later, Lin Ning felt a warm and soothing sensation within him; he was surprised to find that the Madonna lily from Yunwu Mountain truly had the effect of countering Silkworm Poison. He thanked the person who had helped him: "I will never forget your life-saving grace, senior..."
Before Lin Ning could finish speaking, the person replied, "Child, do not rejoice too soon. While the Madonna lily can restrain the development of Silkworm Poison, whether it can completely eliminate it remains unknown. Come back to Fallen Icicle Cave in seven days and see if the Silkworm Poison will strike again. Now, I will teach you some techniques for cultivating your inner strength to avoid being caught off guard when the poison strikes."
Lin Ning was overjoyed and bowed three times in gratitude. The person continued, "Your martial arts training comes from the Tai Chi school; what is your understanding of Tai Chi's inner strength?"
Lin Ning answered, "Tai Chi emphasizes overcoming hardness with softness and controlling movement with stillness. It teaches to respond with speed after delay, refining essence into qi, transforming qi into spirit, and achieving a state of emptiness where spirit and qi are unified!"
The person nodded approvingly. "Correct. Use intention to guide qi and apply intention in combat; combine movement with stillness. The essence of Tai Chi lies in understanding lightness in motion—your strength is in your qi, and your qi is in its restraint. Achieve a state where every movement is accompanied by stillness and every stillness by movement. Now follow my instructions to circulate your true qi smoothly within your body."
Lin Ning listened intently as the person imparted the inner cultivation techniques. A surge of true qi flowed through his body effortlessly as if there were no barriers; he felt light and relaxed beyond measure! The person continued, "From now on, come to Fallen Icicle Cave every night at the hour of the pig (around 9 PM). In addition to teaching you inner cultivation techniques, I will also pass on the unique skills of various sects."
Lin Ning was overjoyed and bowed three times to the person, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, esteemed elder. I do not know how to address you. Would you accept me as your disciple?" The person smiled and replied, "You can call me Grandmother from now on. Your father is a renowned hero, and his martial arts are unparalleled. I greatly admire your father's skills and his chivalrous deeds. He is both your father and your master; without his permission, you cannot take another master. We can discuss your apprenticeship later."
Lin Ning was slightly taken aback to hear her refer to herself as Grandmother, never expecting that this extraordinary hero was a woman. He stood there momentarily stunned before regaining his composure and responding, "Yes, Grandmother." The elder continued, "When you meet others later, do not tell them about our encounter." Lin Ning replied, "I will remember what you said, Grandmother." She then added, "Alright, you can go back now. Remember to come find me in the Fallen Icicle Cave tonight at the hour of the pig!"
As Lin Ning exited the Fallen Icicle Cave, he found Hu Xueyan and the others anxiously pacing at the entrance. Upon seeing Lin Ning safe and sound, Hu Xueyan burst into tears of joy. Lin Ning took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears, saying, "Sister, please don't be sad. I told you before that I am a person of great fortune. With so many loved ones caring for me, how could I possibly abandon everyone?"
Lin Xiu, standing nearby with red-rimmed eyes, added, "Yes! I have yet to repay Brother second Brother for saving my life; I won't allow you to leave us." Lin Ning replied, "We are siblings; Xiu'er, you are being too formal."
The group happily descended the mountain. In high spirits, Hu Xueyan personally went to the kitchen to prepare several dishes that Lin Ning loved. They set up a banquet by the Flower Moon Bridge at the foot of Yunyu Mountain. In the evening, under the shimmering moonlight reflecting on the Liuyun River below Yunyu Mountain, the scenery appeared even more ethereal and serene. Mist swirled around Yunyu Mountain as waterfalls cascaded down like flying flowers and shattered jade, their melodious sounds filling the air.
By the Flower Moon Bridge, fragrant grasses carpeted the ground while colorful blossoms intertwined endlessly in a breathtaking display. The moist sky exuded the scent of myriad flowers. Enchanted by the boundless beauty of flowers under the moonlight, Lin Ning felt as if he were neither in this world nor in a fairyland. Amidst this hazy atmosphere, Hu Xueyan smiled radiantly; her delicate face glowed like spring as she instructed Qin Lan to bring out a guzheng and began to play and sing.
Hu Xueyan's voice flowed like a fresh breeze—clear and melodious. She sang:
"Where does the ethereal path lead? Beyond this world, amidst water and clouds,
Playing strings and singing joyfully with you.
The tune is in harmony; the verses resonate,
Forgetting worldly matters, wishing to be an immortal here.
What a beautiful night filled with splendid sights,
Endless feelings entwined in dreams."
Lin Ning recognized that Hu Xueyan was singing "Where to Seek Immortal Traces." He watched as she played the zither; her every glance was filled with charm and grace that captivated his heart. The moonlight gently stirred the shadows of flowers and trees while clouds danced around the mountain and mist floated above them. The scene was enchanting and ethereal.
In his heart, Lin Ning silently prayed: May we spend our days together playing music by flowing waters and leisurely watching flower seas; may our garments carry floral scents and may time pass peacefully!
Lin Xiu shouted from beside him, "Life is meant for enjoyment! Let’s drink while we can! Little Lan, hurry up and pour some wine!"
Qin Lan promptly filled everyone's wine glasses to the brim. Lin Ning, in high spirits tonight, raised his glass and downed several cups in quick succession. Lin Xiu shouted, "Now that my brother's enthusiasm is up, Xiaolan, why don't you hurry up and announce the topic for tonight's drinking game?"
Seeing the clear skies and bright moon by the Flower Moon Bridge, with blossoms as white as snow, Qin Lan was inspired by the romantic ambiance of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon. She suddenly had an idea and said to the three of them, "Given such a beautiful night of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon, each of you should compose a seven-character quatrain. The first line must include the word 'wind,' the second line must include 'flower,' the third line must include 'snow,' and the fourth line must include 'moon.' To make it a bit more challenging, I will prepare four lots with the characters for spring, summer, autumn, and winter written on them. Each of you will draw one lot and write your poem based on the corresponding season of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon."
Lin Xiu asked, "But what if we draw lots and there's one left over?" Qin Lan replied, "The remaining lot will go to Young Master Ning; he needs to write two poems since he is the 'Divine Talent' after all!"
Qin Lan quickly prepared four red lots. Hu Xueyan picked one and opened it to find the character for "spring." Lin Ning drew a lot with "summer" written on it, while Lin Xiu's lot read "winter." The leftover lot was naturally for "autumn," meaning Lin Ning would have to write poems for both summer and autumn. Although Lin Ning had to compose two poems alone, all three finished their verses almost simultaneously. The four poems were handed to Qin Lan. She read them aloud in order of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. First up was Hu Xueyan's poem for spring.
Spring
The wind is warm and the sun brightens my heart,
Yan Hua is beautiful and shows her grace,
Willow catkins flutter softly like snow,
The river pavilion is filled with bright moonlight!
Next is "Summer and Autumn" written by Lin Ning:
Summer
The emerald willows lightly brush the gentle breeze,
Flowers bloom, smiles brighten the pure space.
Jade balustrades and ivory steps, clouds like snow,
Purple and blue, rosy light, and a clear, bright moon!
Autumn
Autumn breeze sends a coolness in gusts,
Golden grapevines sway amidst a colorful array of flowers.
A line of white egrets pure as snow,
Not treading on the moonlight, they head south!
The last is Lin Xiu's winter:
Winter
The wind passes by, and Yunshan now appears splendid,
Fluffy flowers float and dance lightly.
The white jade is flawless, surpassing snow,
As the moon spills its gentle affection upon the world!
The three of them accurately completed the task set by Qin Lan. Curious, Qin Lan remarked, "Miss Xiu usually takes her time composing poetry, but I didn't expect her to be so quick today." Hu Xueyan turned to Qin Lan and said, "Bring me the poem that Sister Xiu wrote." Following her request, Qin Lan handed over Lin Xiu's poem to Hu Xueyan. After reading it, Hu Xueyan laughed and said, "No wonder Sister Xiu is so quick-witted today; she must have been thinking of White Jade Peak while composing this poem. The line 'The white jade is flawless, surpassing snow' is proof of that. It seems she was distracted in her previous compositions! You really prioritize beauty over friendship too much." Lin Xiu's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she retorted, "Who says I was thinking of him? If you keep talking nonsense, I won't pay you any attention!"
Under the soft moonlight, several individuals returned to Yihua Garden, and it was already the hour of Zi. Lin Ning watched as Hu Xueyan and Lin Xiu entered the Qingdai Building before turning towards Yun Xue Mountain. He activated his lightness skill and, in less than an hour, arrived at the Fallen Icicle Cave. The cold ice within the cave reflected a faint glow. Lin Ning took out a flint from his pocket and ignited a branch, illuminating the cave instantly. At that moment, a voice came from deep within the cave: "Tonight is another fine evening with clear winds and bright moonlight. Are you children enjoying yourselves?"
Lin Ning's face flushed as he realized that the old woman was fully aware of his movements with Hu Xueyan and the others. He mumbled, "We..." but could not continue. The old woman sighed and said, "Now, during the Ming Dynasty, the world is changing dramatically; our mountains and rivers are losing their color. To the north, Nurhaci poses a significant threat to the Ming Dynasty's stability, while to the east, Japanese pirates frequently disturb the islands along the southeastern coast. The invasions by these pirates have been marked by a strong pirate flavor since the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is understandable for young people like you to indulge in nature and romance, but in times of national crisis, every passionate individual must not forget their country’s grievances."
Lin Ning quickly replied, "You are absolutely right, Granny. Ning'er will remember your words." The old woman continued, "Good. From now on, you should spend more time studying martial arts and military strategy during the day. Come to me at midnight to learn martial arts. As for your other time, it’s fine for you young people to enjoy Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon and indulge in love."
The old woman added, "Now calm your mind and practice the Tai Chi internal energy technique I taught you yesterday." Following her instructions, Lin Ning sat cross-legged on the ground, regulating his breath to cultivate his true energy. He eliminated all distractions from his mind; his heart was as calm as water, allowing his true energy to flow freely within him. The old woman praised him: "You truly are an exceptionally clever child. The internal energy technique of Tai Chi is among the highest forms of martial arts; mastering it will make learning other martial skills much easier. Now I will teach you the Yi Jin Jing from Shaolin."
Lin Ning felt overjoyed in his heart; he knew that the Yi Jin Jing from Shaolin Temple was a skill that countless heroes dreamed of learning. However, he wondered where the old woman had learned it. The old woman continued: "The Yi Jin Jing strengthens internal courage and external strength. Once you master this method of internal courage, you can pierce through a cow's belly with your fingers or break a cow's head with your palm. When you master external strength, you can lift city gates or carry heavy cauldrons. Now I will first teach you how to cultivate internal courage..."
Lin Ning diligently practiced according to the internal courage mantra of Yi Jin Jing that the old woman imparted to him. He finally understood why Shaolin Temple had become a towering figure in the martial world. The internal courage techniques of Yi Jin Jing were endlessly varied and filled with profound mysteries. After repeated practice, Lin Ning was astonished to find that his internal strength had significantly increased.
Time quickly passed by another seven days, and it was once again time for Lin Ning's Silkworm Poison to flare up for the third time. Lin Ning waited in Fallen Icicle Cave for an entire day without any sign of an outbreak from the Silkworm Poison. It wasn't until the tenth day that it finally reemerged. After using his internal energy to expel the Silkworm Poison from his body, he consumed a Madonna Lily flower. Subsequently, it took ten days for another outbreak to occur; then it gradually extended to once every half month and finally once a month.
Everyone thought that eventually, the Silkworm Poison would be completely eliminated from Lin Ning's body; however, it became particularly regular—flaring up once a month thereafter. The herbal remedies provided by others to clear heat and detoxify proved ineffective. Lin Enzhe sent disciples to search around Changbai Mountain in the Borderlands for Siji but returned empty-handed without any trace of Siji at all. Fortunately for Lin Ning, during each monthly outbreak of Silkworm Poison, he was able to promptly use his internal energy to expel the poison from his body and then consume another Madonna Lily flower afterward, allowing him to quickly restore his strength back to normal levels.
(End of Chapter Six)
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