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Identity verification completed, Yang Yuchang enthusiastically invited Bai Tang to enter the ancient tomb.
“No need, I’ll just sit outside for a while,” Bai Tang said, uninterested in the dark interior of the tomb, having been there before. The tomb now had a bit more liveliness than before, with two wooden cabins built outside for the girls to rest and play. Behind the tomb, a half-acre plot had been cultivated with some common vegetables, transforming the atmosphere from martial arts to farming.
Bai Tang followed Yang Yuchang into one of the wooden cabins, which only contained chairs and a table, indicating that everyone would still return to the tomb to sleep.
“Bai Xianzi, please have some water!” A middle-aged woman entered with two cups of water. This woman was a servant of the Yang Family, referred to by Yang Yuchang as Feng Momo. The eight Lolis were Yang Yuchang's maids, brought in by her elder brother to accompany her.
“This is water mixed with Jade Bee honey; it’s very sweet and delicious, and has health benefits!” one of the Lolis said proudly.
Bai Tang smiled slightly, took a sip from the cup, and praised, “It really is delicious!”
The Loli beamed with joy: “If you like it, Bai Xianzi, I’ll give you a bottle of honey.”
“Thank you very much,” Bai Tang replied without hesitation, as the taste of Jade Bee honey was indeed delightful.
“Bai Xianzi, why didn’t Yang Kang’s ancestor come?”
“He has matters to attend to and entrusted me to look after you. If you encounter any difficulties, just let me know; I’ll help you solve them.” Bai Tang thought that a simple girl living in the mountains shouldn’t have too many problems.
Yang Yuchang’s eyes lit up at this: “Can you help me find my brother?”
Bai Tang was taken aback: “Your brother?”
It turned out that the Loli had an older brother who was a year older than her. He had left Zhongnan Mountain five years ago to venture into the world. Although he sent a letter home every year, he never returned. Yang Yuchang was worried about her brother but couldn’t leave the mountain due to her age. Since Bai Tang had arrived, she sought Bai Tang’s help in finding her brother and sending him a message to come home.
“My brother is named Yang Xiao!”
What? Yang Xiao is actually a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect? Why didn’t he recognize his sister when the Yellow-Clad Woman appeared in the original story? Could it be that he did something wrong and was expelled from the Ancient Tomb Sect?
No wonder Yang Xiao could perform the Finger Flicking Technique! Didn’t Yang Guo also master that technique? It was taught personally by Huang Yaoshi.
“Don’t worry; I will definitely bring your brother back!” Bai Tang assured her. She planned to confine Yang Xiao in the ancient tomb to prevent him from continuing his entanglement with Ji Xiaofu and conveniently remove him from the rebel forces.
Bai Tang has a poor impression of Ming Jiao, a sect that has stubbornly rebelled for hundreds of years. If the original text did not depict it as opposing the brutal Yuan court, no knowledgeable person would join them. Being labeled as a demonic sect by the Six Major Sects is not without reason.
Ming Jiao, officially known as Manichaeism, originated in ancient Persia during the Sasanian Empire and was founded by Mani in the mid-1st century CE. Influenced by Christianity and Zoroastrianism, it is a dualistic religion with Gnostic elements that emphasizes light. Mani claimed to be a prophet of God and the last prophet. Manichaeism had a significant impact on the Sogdian culture and spread widely across the world. It was introduced to China during the Tang Dynasty, and the term Ming Jiao specifically refers to localized Manichaeism. In ancient China, the development of Manichaeism incorporated elements of Taoism, Buddhism, and the White Lotus Sect. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, as well as the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, it was often used as a tool for organizing peasant uprisings. In the Three Kingdoms period, Zhang Jiao was revered as the founder of the sect, Mani was honored as the god of light, and worship included the sun and moon. Followers wore white clothing, advocated vegetarianism, abstained from alcohol, and practiced burial without coffins; they emphasized unity and mutual assistance, referring to themselves as one family, believing that the forces of light would ultimately triumph over darkness. In the sixth year of Liang Zhenming during the Five Dynasties, Mu Yi initiated an uprising based on these beliefs. During the Northern Song period, it flourished in regions such as Huainan, Zhejiang, Jiangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian, continuously organizing peasant uprisings, with notable ones including Fang La's uprising and Wang Nianjing's uprising. Fang La utilized Manichaeism to mobilize crowds for a grand uprising that shook half of southeastern China. Without Fang La's uprising, the Song Dynasty could not have fallen so quickly to the Jin Kingdom; it not only failed to change the corrupt policies of the Song but also weakened its national strength, contributing to its later defeat by Liao and Jin—an example of using religion as bait to incite rebellion.
Now turning to today's Ming Jiao: shortly after Sun Peak's death, upper management has been embroiled in disputes over who will become the new leader of Ming Jiao and are too preoccupied to care about their followers. Meanwhile, under the instigation of individuals like Han Shantong and Guo Zixing, lower-ranking members of Ming Jiao have raised reactionary banners. If this world were like the brutal rule at the end of Yuan Dynasty where people struggled to survive, their actions might be considered justifiable and could gain widespread support from the suffering masses. However, this world is not like that; although the Murong Family has overthrown democratic rule, their descendants are relatively good emperors who govern diligently and care for their people, allowing citizens to live peacefully and prosperously—much better than during Northern Song times. In such an environment, how can Ming Jiao dare to rebel? The common people do not support them; even the Six Main Gate sects have solidified their reputation as a demonic sect and are just waiting for a reason to unite against Bright Summit.
Bai Tang left Zhongnan Mountain directly heading towards Kunlun Mountain. She remembered that Yang Xiao lived on Zuo Wang Peak at Kunlun Mountain. Along her journey, Bai Tang encountered many hurried martial artists; upon inquiry, she discovered they were all heading to compete for the Dragon-Slaying Saber!
What a powerful plot twist! It turns out Huang Rong managed to forge both the Dragon-Slaying Saber and Leaning Sword before her death and placed military strategies and martial arts secret manuals within them. The saber and sword were given to two children from the Dragon and Phoenix Twins; later Guo An's son Guo Pu took the Dragon-Slaying Saber into the martial world but had it stolen. The Guo Family searched for decades without success until they gradually gave up hope. Until ten years ago when the Dragon-Slaying Saber suddenly reappeared with a proclamation: "Supreme in martial arts, this saber slays dragons; under its command, none dare disobey." Since then, a wave of bloodshed erupted in martial circles over its possession.
In late spring March in southern Jiangnan by the sea’s edge, a man in his thirties wearing a blue shirt walked briskly along Avenue wearing straw sandals. As he noticed dusk approaching amidst blooming peach blossoms and lush willows—though spring was vibrant—he had no mind for enjoyment but silently calculated: "Today is March 24th; there are still fourteen days until April 9th. I must not delay on my journey if I am to arrive at Wudang Mountain in time to celebrate my mentor’s ninetieth birthday."
Such a familiar scene should allow readers to guess this man's identity! Indeed he is Yu Daiyan from the original text—a character who suffers misfortune right from his first appearance with severed limbs. Earlier this year under his master's orders Yu Daiyan traveled to Fujian to eliminate a notorious bandit harming innocent people. Upon hearing rumors about him hiding away immediately after learning Yu Daiyan was coming for him took over two months before Yu Daiyan finally located his secret lair for confrontation using his master’s Mystical Void Blade Technique; he killed him on his eleventh strike. What was expected to take ten days ended up consuming more than two months; counting down brings him close to his master’s birthday celebration which now loomed large ahead—he was already south of Qiantang River in eastern Zhejiang.
As he hurried along his path narrowing near coastal areas where he often saw smooth flat lands resembling mirrors—often seven or eight zhang square—Yu Daiyan had traveled extensively throughout southern China but had never seen such peculiar sights before; upon questioning locals he couldn’t help but chuckle upon learning they were salt fields where local salt farmers diverted seawater into fields which dried out before scraping off salt-laden mud turning it into brine then gradually drying it into salt grains. Yu Daiyan mused: "I’ve eaten salt for thirty years yet never knew how it was made—what hard work!"
While walking along suddenly three people approached him from ahead; one man with heterochromia caught Yu Daiyan's eye making him glance several times before noticing that beside him stood an impressive young woman whose beauty wasn’t top-tier but her skin was delicate and fair comparable to fine jade; her eyes sparkled radiantly with gracefulness in every movement creating an aesthetic rhythm that delighted observers’ hearts. Yu Daiyan secretly praised her beauty even surpassing Emei Sect’s most beautiful Ji Xiaofu in looks yet lacking behind her in temperament by several streets’ worth.
The woman noticed Yu Daiyan’s gaze along with her companion who shot him a cold look causing Yu Daiyan embarrassment prompting him to smile apologetically at them both; she returned his smile while walking past him with her companion.
"I wonder if Dragon-Slaying Saber is as cool as in Legend game!" The woman's voice drifted into Yu Daiyan's ears carried by wind.
Has Dragon-Slaying Saber reappeared in martial circles? Yu Daiyan furrowed his brow pondering: "If Dragon-Slaying Saber truly belongs among martial treasures then it must be rare indeed—it seems more like an ominous object; countless martial artists have lost their lives over it these past ten years. Should I obtain this saber I must hand it over to Master for proper handling suggesting he destroy it altogether thus resolving conflicts arising from its existence."
At this moment Yu Daiyan remained unaware that he would soon acquire Dragon-Slaying Saber only to suffer severe injuries nearly leaving him disabled for over twenty years.
When Bai Tang arrived at Sea Sand Sect she found that battles had already concluded leaving no excitement nor sight of Dragon-Slaying Saber left behind either. Disappointed Bai Tang suddenly recalled encountering that warrior earlier exclaiming: "That man I met before must be Yu Daiyan! If only I had followed him!"
Regrettably it was too late; Yu Daiyan had already been ambushed by Yin Susu sustaining grave injuries while being sent back towards Wudang Mountain by Yin Susu’s commission through Dragon Gate Escort Agency.
"We should head towards Wudang Mountain!" There might still be time to save Yu Daiyan altering his fate from disability.
"The Zhang Zhenren at Wudang Mountain is known as a living immortal; if he sees you two true immortals I wonder if he’ll feel ashamed." The response came from Yang Xiao after Bai Tang revealed her identity upon reaching Zuo Wang Peak urging Yang Xiao to leave Ming Jiao offering him two choices: either return home to accompany his sister or write a letter home if he didn’t wish to go back then venture forth into martial circles independently ensuring no further ties with Ming Jiao would remain.
Yang Xiao chose a third option—to stay beside Bai Tang since she was akin to an immortal herself! Being near her would undoubtedly bring great benefits even if he couldn’t become an immortal himself just catching even a glimpse of what slipped through Bai Tang’s fingers would prove immensely rewarding akin to inheriting ancestral Antidote Pill capable of neutralizing all poisons or Peiyuan Pill far superior than Shaolin’s elixir granting ten additional years’ worth of internal energy upon consumption.
"Bai Tang said, 'Don't say that. Zhang Zhenren is quite impressive. If nothing unexpected happens, he could live to over two hundred years old. Can ordinary people live that long? Isn't that a form of immortality? Moreover, when he reaches over two hundred, he might not even die but instead shatter the void and leave this world.'
Yang Xiao replied, 'Zhang Sanfeng is only ninety this year. Fairy, you know about him living to over two hundred years old; you truly are prophetic, much more so than Zhang Sanfeng.'
Bai Tang wouldn't dare compare himself to Zhang Sanfeng, as his own father is a disciple of Zhang Sanfeng's many generations down.
'Zhang Zhenren has made outstanding contributions in both Taoism and martial arts, benefiting future generations. Unlike me, who only knows about my own cultivation; I can't compare to Zhang Zhenren,' Bai Tang said. 'Zhang Zhenren has authored "Dao of the Great Way," "Profound Insights Unveiled," and "Xuan Yao Pian." If you're interested, you can read them.'
'Isn't "Dao of the Great Way" written by Zhou Yinpuxi during the Song Dynasty?' Yang Xiao asked.
Bai Tang shook his head. 'Not that one. Zhang Sanfeng also wrote a book titled "Dao of the Great Way," which begins with: "The Avenue is that which governs life, earth, humanity, and all beings; it encompasses the mechanisms of yin and yang, movement and stillness, and contains the profound principles of creation and transformation. It governs the limitless and gives birth to the Supreme Ultimate. The limitless is nameless; the nameless is the beginning of the earth; the Supreme Ultimate is named; the named is the mother of all things. From the nameless comes the named, thus life arises, earth arises, humanity arises, and beings arise. Now let us speak specifically about humanity. Before parents give birth, there exists a vast emptiness, resting in tranquility; this is the time of the limitless. The limitless is yin stillness. Yin stillness means yang is also still...'
'The "Dao of the Great Way" elaborates on 'Dao' as a descriptive definition of its governing and direct participation in all functions within the universe—life, earth, humanity, and beings. Dao contains the pivot that shifts yin and yang and transforms movement and stillness; it possesses the ability to create and evolve even the most minute things while adhering to eternal laws and principles. It encompasses the beginningless and endless limitless and the fundamental Supreme Ultimate born from it that gives rise to all things...'
Seeing Bai Tang was about to continue speaking endlessly, Yang Xiao quickly interrupted to change the topic.
'Wasn't the Dragon-Slaying Saber taken by Eagle Cult? Why are we not going to seize it back from Eagle Cult but instead heading to Wudang Mountain?'"
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