Chapter 222: Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand

This happened suddenly; A Zi and Tong Lao were startled, both rushing forward.

"Big brother, what's wrong with you?" A Zi hurriedly supported Feng Yi, feeling his body tremble, his face flushed as if on fire, hot tears streaming down, she was so anxious she could not speak, then she heard Feng Yi's trembling voice say: "The Free and Easy Sect's martial arts are truly formidable."

Tong Lao clenched her fists, a hint of smile at the corner of her mouth, and said: "That's right, the Free and Easy Sect's martial arts are invincible under heaven."

Feng Yi exhaled a long breath, nodded, and said: "It was my arrogance."

A Zi snapped: "Big brother, at this point, still saying these things—where did Li Qiu Shui injure you?"

Feng Yi smiled: "Though I suffered minor harm, Li Qiu Shui will certainly be unable to show off for three months, which is worth it!"

Tong Lao had already placed her hand on Feng Yi's pulse gate; Feng Yi thought to himself: "With her medical skill, she should know I'm faking it."

Seeing her willow brows relax, her starry eyes slightly closed, the corners of her mouth unconsciously rose, like a flower in full bloom, yet her demeanor was extremely leisurely.

Feng Yi knew Tong Lao had already realized he was pretending.

Tong Lao said: "It's nothing serious, just a slight rebound of adverse qi; I appreciate your kindness."

Although Feng Yi was uninjured, he had defeated Li Qiu Shui not using Free and Easy Sect martial arts; he deeply knew Tong Lao was extremely proud of the sect's arts, so it was necessary to put on a show to give her face.

Moreover, the earlier embarrassment would be avoided if he were injured, preventing A Zi from bringing it up.

A Zi had no idea; she anxiously said: "You scared me to death." As she spoke, she buried her head in Feng Yi's embrace and began to sob.

Feng Yi gently stroked her soft shoulder, saying: "Am I so easy to die? Is it worth your tears?"

A Zi lifted her chin, rolled her eyes, and pursed her cherry lips—an appearance quite crafty, yet within that craftiness lay innocence and brightness, truly endearing.

Tong Lao laughed heartily: "That wretch Li Qiu Shui, once injured, will surely seek a place to heal; we can return to the Spirit Vulture Palace." Then she told A Zi: "You carry me on your back."

But A Zi asked: "Why?"

Although Tong Lao's strength had not yet recovered, the martial prowess of a seventeen-year-old still surpassed ordinary people; since there was no need to dodge Li Qiu Shui anymore, why would she still need someone to carry her?

Tong Lao's pretty face turned slightly cold as she snapped: "Just do as I say and carry me—what nonsense?"

Feng Yi laughed: "A Zi, just carry Tong Lao; you'll definitely benefit."

A Zi stuck out her tongue: "I'll listen to you!"

Tong Lao scolded: "Good-for-nothing, you'll surely be deceived sooner or later!"

She jumped onto her back, and the three immediately set off toward Ethereal Peak. After walking several li, Tong Lao felt something odd and suddenly asked: "Who did you learn your lightness skill from, girl?"

A Zi replied: "What do you mean by asking that…?" Before she finished, Tong Lao leapt down from her back and coldly said: "I'm asking you a question."

A Zi let out a "hum" and gave a cold silence.

Feng Yi then briefly explained how A Zi had once been a disciple of Ding Chun Qiu, stolen the Divine Wood King Cauldron, lured it to the Central Plains, been captured by him, and later killed by Su Xing He.

Tong Lao nodded: "I see." Then she said: "But you possess Northern Dark true qi; why don't you cultivate superior martial arts?"

A Zi stammered: "I, I..." She understood in her heart why Feng Yi did not teach her, but the words would not come out; she merely glanced at him furtively.

Feng Yi smiled without speaking.

Tong Lao's thoughts turned, and she understood, saying: "Don't believe him; in this world the strong bully the weak, the weak are bullied. Wu Ya Zi has reversed all the power he cultivated over seventy years of hard training and given it to you—you are like the son of a wealthy magnate, with vast riches and an extremely solid foundation; you need not hoard wealth any longer, just learn the art of spending. I will teach you three palm methods and three grappling methods; these six techniques together are called the 'Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand'."

Feng Yi felt enlightened; Tong Lao imparting martial arts to A Zi was for the people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands, but he did not stop her.

A Zi glanced at Feng Yi, saw him nod slightly, her heart leapt with joy, and she said: "Granny, I knew you wouldn't treat me as an ordinary person."

Tong Lao gave her a sideways glance and said: "I'm not indulging you; I'm already old, and my martial arts still have no heir. You could lure Ding Chun Qiu to the Central Plains and come to my side—truly there is some fate between us. Moreover, I have a request of you; you must act."

A Zi puzzled: "You'll regain your full strength in just over two months; what do you seek from me?"

Tong Lao snorted: "As the saying goes, spending money is easy, gathering wealth is hard. I'll teach you so that within a month you can help me with tasks; first memorize this formula—the opening line is 'Follow Heaven's Way, Nature's Course'..."

Then she transmitted the first set of palm-method formulas of the Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand to her: the formula consists of seven characters per line, twelve lines total, eighty-four characters, extremely awkward to pronounce, with seven level tones followed by seven oblique tones, the rhythm utterly discordant, much like a tongue-twister.

A Zi is extraordinarily intelligent and has an excellent memory; having once heard Wu Ya Zi recite it to Feng Yi, when Tong Lao said it again she immediately recalled it.

Tong Lao said: "Now, while carrying me, dash westward at full speed, loudly reciting this set of formulas."

A Zi did as told, started running, feeling her breath quicken, her hands and feet tangled, feeling extremely awkward, yet she still managed to recite it.

Tong Lao was very pleased, saying: "This girl shares my temperament and is so clever; she is indeed a promising talent!" She then had her recite it backward.

In fact, the characters and phrasing of this formula are completely opposite to the principles of sound, rhyme, and breath; reciting it calmly is already difficult to utter, and while running it becomes even harder to voice. Reciting this set of formulas is actually a method to regulate true qi; reading it forward is extremely awkward, and reading it backward aggravates adverse qi rising to the throat, stirring the tongue and catching the teeth.

With Feng Yi's deep internal force and martial cultivation, any martial art, once its principle is understood, makes manipulating true qi no difficulty.

A Zi's experience is limited, so when she listened to Wu Ya Zi she understood nothing. Now, with Tong Lao's careful guidance, whether she recites forward or backward, it flows smoothly, completely unhindered.

Tong Lao clucked her tongue in praise: "Good, good, you have great fortune… oh… oh!"

Suddenly her tone shifted; she clenched her fists and fiercely struck A Zi's head, shouting: "You heartless little thief, you… you must have done something shameful with her; I've been keeping you in the dark all along. Little thief, will you still deceive me? You… how can you face me?"

A Zi was reciting the formula when she inexplicably received a beating; instantly her face flushed and ears burned, she was furious, about to set her down and retort, but seeing Tong Lao's face purple with tears streaming down, she cried: "Did you have an illicit affair with that wretch Li Qiu Shui? Do you still want to deny it? Refuse to admit? Otherwise, how could she have transmitted the 'Minor Formless Skill' to you? Little thief, you… you've concealed this from me bitterly."

Although A Zi was originally furious, upon hearing and seeing she immediately understood: the true qi that Wu Ya Zi had infused that day contained not only Northern Dark true qi but also the Minor Formless Skill, which Tong Lao now detected. Thus she no longer minded the beating, merely saying: "Ah, I've been beaten without crying; why do you cry when you strike?"

Tong Lao's face was wet with tears as she fumed: "You understand nothing, you know nothing at all…" She pitied herself, hurt, and shed more tears.

Feng Yi sighed deeply: "Worldly affairs are but a grand dream; life knows several autumn chills. If heaven had feeling, it too would age; the world originally holds only indifference as good. I do not know how many eminent persons have erred solely over the character 'love'."

Tong Lao suddenly seemed to awaken from a dream, glanced at Feng Yi, and said: "It was my loss of composure."

A Zi guessed correctly; while reciting the formula, she swiftly passed many difficult points, and when reciting backward she was especially fluent, prompting Tong Lao to suddenly realize this must be due to her cultivation of the 'Minor Formless Skill'.

She, Wu Ya Zi, and Li Qiu Shui, though all transmitted from the same master, learned quite different things; the 'Minor Formless Skill' was passed by the master only to Li Qiu Shui, her protective divine art of immense power; over the years Tong Lao repeatedly harmed her, yet Li Qiu Shui always relied on the Minor Formless Skill to preserve her life.

Although Tong Lao does not possess this skill, she is very familiar with its manifestations; at this moment she sensed that A Zi's body not only harbored the skill but also had deep cultivation. In shock and anger, she directly regarded A Zi as Wu Ya Zi, feeling both enraged and self-pitying.

In fact, this matter Tong Lao had guessed decades ago; merely having A Zi now provides concrete evidence.

Because Wu Ya Zi learned the 'Eternal Longevity Everlasting Spring Skill' from her body, she knows it full well.

That night, Tong Lao incessantly cursed Wu Ya Zi and Li Qiu Shui. Although her words were vicious, the feeling of hurt actually surpassed her resentment.

A Zi listened, entranced; she suddenly felt some pity for this mercurial old woman.

Because during this time, staying with Feng Yi she had understood many principles, among them empathy.

Why the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands rebel is simply to survive.

Now Tong Lao resembles a resentful wife; she also understands, for if Feng Yi were to carry her while being with another woman, abandoning her, she would surely act just like this, taking revenge on that woman.

Feng Yi also felt pity for Tong Lao, so he fabricated the lie that Wuya Zi also loved her, and unlike Xu Zhu, he did not show her that painting to upset her; at this moment he wanted to comfort her, so he said slowly: "Tong Lao, what does the 'Carefree' in Carefree Sect mean?"

Tong Lao said unhappily: "Riding the correctness of heaven and earth, governing the six qi's debates, to wander the boundless, that is carefreeness."

Feng Yi nodded: "Then what does that mean?"

Tong Lao snorted, but said nothing.

Feng Yi laughed: "This actually means to follow nature, be unrestrained, free and at ease,"

If one could cultivate in seclusion in the deep mountains, free of emotion and resentment, facing clear springs and verdant bamboo, playing the qin to attract cranes, then that would be true carefree ease; am I right?

Tong Lao snorted: "So what if it is?"

Feng Yi shook his head: "Your master accepted you three disciples; although your talents are not bad, you have practiced various supreme martial arts for decades, but burdened with foolishness, anger, and resentment, you have fallen to inferior level; Li QiuShui's power exceeds mine by decades, yet she still cannot match a single me."

Tong Lao suddenly understood: "No wonder you don't teach A Zi martial arts."

Feng Yi nodded: "You only guessed half right. Although the Carefree Sect sounds carefree and at ease, it actually has an inhumane rule: outsiders must not hear the three words 'Carefree Sect'; if they do, they must be killed. Is that carefree?" Tong Lao said: "This was set by the master; who dares to object?"

Feng Yi sighed: "I've heard that the Spirit Vulture Palace's martial arts catalog and everything have existed for hundreds of years; I once guessed that your sect had the crow take over the magpie's nest, fearing that the master would encounter orthodox successors and be ashamed for outsiders to know, hence this measure. But upon further thought, this could also be seen as honoring the master, a means of not wishing you to enter the world."

Tong Lao was stunned, looking at Feng Yi and said: "But, but…"

Feng Yi continued: "Your Carefree Sect disciples must require the successor to be a handsome, beautiful worldly marvel, also said to be a strange person like wandering clouds and scattered immortals; since you wish to wander between heaven and earth, if you become entangled with the outside world, heh, this mundane vulgarity pervades the skies and filth covers the earth, like a great dye vat—how could immortal maidens not be stained? You have gone astray."

Tong Lao listened blankly, dazed, and Feng Yi's words kept turning in her heart.

Feng Yi also said: "Moreover, the Carefree Sect's Northern Dark Divine Art or the Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand—both take their meaning from Zhuangzi's learning; what they seek is boundlessness and endlessness."

And from ancient times to the present, to cultivate profound martial arts, one must have heart and intent united, heart and qi united, only then can one's marvelous application be endless.

Therefore, some martial arts progress faster the more one harbors resentment, anger, and emotions; whereas others are the opposite—training with such a mindset makes one's power deeper and the harm greater.

This is the principle of whether the intrinsic law and meaning of the martial art itself align with one's nature.

Although you three have high talent, your nature does not align with the intrinsic law and meaning of the Carefree Sect's martial art; thus, although your cultivation is outstanding and you are masters of the sect, you cannot become grandmasters—Li QiuShui and you alike cannot reach the pinnacle.

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Tong Lao raised her eyes to gaze at the vast sky, sighed slowly: "Perhaps what you say makes sense. But, old lady at this age, I insist on missing that heartless Wuya Zi, I insist on hating that malicious wicked person." Saying this, her brows and eyes reddened, she was on the verge of tears.

Feng Yi laughed: "Precisely for that reason, I also didn't intend to persuade you, nor Li QiuShui; both sides can resolve their hatred."

Saying this, he raised his head to gaze at the moon: "A human life lasts at most a hundred years; if one can live life in a way they like, how is that not a kind of great carefreeness?"

Just as Feng Mou likes to indulge in the rivers and lakes, he is actually the same as those who pursue wealth and status, claim to be only I am supreme, seek eternal hegemony, fragrance through the ages, infamy for ten thousand years—all because their hearts can obtain satisfaction.

Tong Lao silently nodded, thinking: "This child is outstanding and transcendent, truly extraordinary!"

This woman demon who feared neither heaven nor earth suddenly felt an indescribable flavor well up in her heart; she raised her head to gaze at the bright moon, the clear light shimmering, a hint of sorrow welled up inside, making her unable to refrain from a soft, long sigh.

A Zi looked at Feng Yi, resentfully muttering: "You've said everything, just don't want to teach me martial arts."

Feng Yi chuckled: "A Zi, actually I don't teach you martial arts because I want to tell you a principle: having strength merely makes you strong; true strength lies in being able to restrain your own power."

Just as you perhaps now feel happy, but if I weren't here, even if you loved someone unattainable and gave your life for it, you might feel even happier, or you might not.

But since I am here, given my character and experience, I will do just that.

Because I like you and feel happy, what you think actually isn't that important.

But I still want you to understand: a martial practitioner must enter the highest realm, must have an inner strength greater than ordinary people. One must be able to accept the impermanence of worldly affairs, also accept life's regrets, as well as sudden changes.

You must never be defeated by these.

Because whether it's Wuya Zi, Tong Lao, or Li QiuShui, although they have lived this long, their greatest regret is not life and death, but rather not having forgotten!

"Forgotten?" Tong Lao couldn't help but glare at him, saying: "You speak lightly."

"He's talking nonsense!" A Zi, furious and anxious, shouted: "What do you mean? Could it be that I would fall for someone else?"

Feng Yi smiled and said: "Don't scold me first; look at your eyes, so stubborn, just like they were poured from the same mold as Tong Lao's."

Tong Lao snorted: "You think you're as lustful and unrighteous as Wu Ya Zi, so you're afraid she'll become a second me?"

"Lustful, no doubt!" Feng Yi nodded slightly: "But being unrighteous requires consideration."

"A Zi, life's regrets are merely normal. Looking at it now, perhaps it's a huge matter, but with the passage of time it becomes trivial—don't believe me? Just look at Tong Lao."

Having said that, he closed his eyes and entered meditation.

A Zi and Tong Lao were in turmoil, for they dimly understood: even if Tong Lao still loved Wu Ya Zi, after not seeing him for decades, she had gotten over it; even if she still hated Li Qiu Shui, they had coexisted peacefully for decades.

It was nothing more than the day she dissipated her own power that attracted Li Qiu Shui. This time Li Qiu Shui was repelled, and Tong Lao's strength restored—would she pursue her to Western Xia to kill her? Or would she dare come to the Spirit Vulture Palace?

It seemed as if everything had ended.

Upon thinking this, Tong Lao immediately felt a sour ache in her chest, her throat choked, and old tears streamed down.

She didn't even know whether she had failed to kill Li Qiu Shui or what.

The next morning, the three set out again, traveling mostly along remote mountain paths to facilitate hunting; Tong Lao then taught A Zi the Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand, and at noon Tong Lao began practicing by drinking blood; in just six days, A Zi had memorized the mnemonic for the six forms of the Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand thoroughly.

Tong Lao and Feng Yi then, in the open field, explained the essentials through words and gestures, sparring with A Zi.

A Zi, coming from the Star Lodge Sect, her martial arts naturally stayed within the bounds of the Carefree Sect; moreover, since Tong Lao and Wu Ya Zi's martial arts share the same lineage, her path was essentially the same, so following the method to cultivate and circulate her true qi was easy and she progressed rapidly.

Yet although the Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand consists of only six forms, it contains the essence of the Carefree Sect's martial arts; within its palm and grappling techniques lie the ultimate sword, saber, whip, staff, claw, and axe techniques, among others—its moves are wondrous and its variations complex.

Tong Lao said: "This Heavenly Mountain Plucking Plum Hand can never be fully mastered; in the future, the higher your internal energy and the broader your knowledge, any martial arts technique in the world can be spontaneously transformed into these six forms of the Plucking Plum Hand. Fortunately you have already learned the mnemonic; how far you progress thereafter depends entirely on your own fortune."

Heading west once more, the sky was clear and blue as far as the eye could see; the three chatted and laughed freely, Feng Yi bearing a carefree charm, Tong Lao learned and knowledgeable, A Zi witty and humorous, chattering away, dispelling boredom with amusement—most delightful.

That day, Tong Lao pointed to the northwest and said: "Look, that is the Lofty Mist Peak."

Following her finger, they saw amidst the swirling clouds and mist a ridge faintly visible; Feng Yi nodded and said: "The clouds drift, vague and elusive—truly befitting an immortal's abode."

A Zi laughed: "Granny lives here, so she is naturally an ageless immortal."

Tong Lao laughed heartily, then suddenly a sharp, piercing sound rang out like a feathered arrow piercing the clouds.

Tong Lao raised her brows and shouted: "Looks like that bunch of beasts has really rebelled." She then unleashed her swift movement and rushed ahead.

At this moment Tong Lao had restored her strength to that of her twenty‑eight‑year‑old self, so her movement was naturally not slow.

A Zi giggled: "Great, I want to try my martial arts too!" Saying that, she moved as swift as wind and floated forward.

Feng Yi also followed the two women onward, passing over two hills, before them lay a valley.

The canyon walls rose sheer on both sides, unobstructed in between; looking down the valley, at the foot of a stretch of sheer cliffs, old and young, men and women had formed a large circle, numbering several hundred. The clang— of swords and weapons striking each other never ceased to be heard.

Tong Lao let out a sinister, cold chuckle and said, "Granny can't be bothered to fight them herself; A Zi, go, use the martial arts I taught you to kill them all, leaving none alive!"

A Zi suddenly turned her head toward Feng Yi and asked, "Big brother, should we kill them or not?"

Tong Lao stared wide-eyed and said, "You good-for-nothing thing."

Feng Yi couldn't help but let out a 'heh' and burst out laughing.

Tong Lao asked, "How is it? Am I wrong?"

Feng Yi laughed and said, "Tong Lao, I'll teach you a saying today: it's better for a girl to be gentle, especially between lovers—girls hope their boyfriend will always be of one mind with them, while boys hope she will consult them on any matter."

This is respect, and also important for emotional value. To be overbearing all the time, having one's way with words—how could that be the way for lovers to get along?

Having said that, he leapt up and headed toward the battlefield, leisurely going his own way.

Tong Lao looked bewildered, gazing at A Zi, and said, "Could it be that I'm too overbearing, which is why Wu Ya Zi doesn't want me?"

A Zi whispered consolingly, "I think it's not about whether he wants you or not, but whether you're willing. Besides, everyone else is dead—actually that's a good thing."

Tong Lao turned her face, sighed, and said, "Yes, everyone else is dead—why talk about this? The one you should really worry about is you. I ask you: if Feng Yi were to fall for a woman from my Spirit Vulture Palace, what would you do?"

A Zi smiled and said, "Then I'd secretly poison her."

Tong Lao burst out laughing, then sighed and said, "If that's really the case, you'd be just another granny like me; otherwise, why back then could I scar Li Qiu Shui's face but not kill her?"

A Zi was momentarily stunned.

Tong Lao laughed and said, "Let me tell you: in my Spirit Vulture Palace there are nine heavens and nine divisions, all female; eight or nine out of ten have suffered greatly at the hands of men—either they were abandoned by men after being used, or their families were destroyed by enemies' vengeance—so they regard men as poisonous snakes and fierce beasts; you needn't worry too much."

Everyone, long time no see!

(End of chapter)