Chapter 27: A Timely Encounter

Zhao Ti nodded: "Precisely so, that's why I'm puzzled. I know cultivating internal arts isn't easy—how could one make progress so effortlessly?"

Zhou Dong showed a shocked expression: "Young Master, although the reasoning holds, it doesn't mean there are no special cases."

"What special case?"

"Naturally, one born with extraordinary talent and outstanding aptitude."

Zhao Ti stroked his chin: "Aren't talent and aptitude used to screen whether one can enter the door, and to tailor one's studies accordingly? But this is no ordinary fast or slow—it seems as natural as course follows reason…"

Zhou Dong shook his head: "Although this subordinate hasn't seen it himself, I did hear my master once say that there truly are people of supreme talent, for whom practicing martial arts is as easy as drinking water or eating a meal—beyond any notion of fast or slow."

Zhao Ti said: "How did the old boxing master Jin Tai put it?"

Zhou Dong thought for a moment: "When this subordinate had just completed his initial martial training back then, I was proud and arrogant, thinking my own talent was extraordinary. But my master said my aptitude was only middling-to-good. I was unconvinced, and he saw it in my heart. The old man laughed and told me that a person of true talent, learning any technique or internal art, would never encounter any shackles or obstacles. Techniques would be mastered in a single attempt; internal arts, as long as one's internal force accumulated to great strength, everything else would follow naturally."

Zhao Ti fell silent in thought upon hearing this. Speaking of techniques—when he had previously not learned internal force and only practiced external methods, it had indeed been exactly so.

Others might need three or five repetitions, or seven or eight, or even dozens to perform a move completely, yet he only needed one practice to learn it. The transitions, subtle details, and ingenious variations could all be executed without error. Could this really be because his martial talent was supreme?

And now cultivating internal arts was the same way, also because of supreme talent?

He also recalled that whether Duan Yu learned Lingbo Weibu or Beiming Divine Art, it was extremely fast, and Zhang Wuji didn't take long to learn Nian Da Nuo Yi either.

Zhang Wuji reached the fifth layer of Nian Da Nuo Yi in only half a day. If so, with abundant internal force, wouldn't learning any profound martial art encounter no obstacles?

Besides his photographic memory, he hadn't expected to possess such martial aptitude!

Zhao Ti nodded and set the matter aside: "Perhaps so. After we finish eating, we'll rest and aim to reach Wuliang Mountain early tomorrow."

Zhou Dong acknowledged with a great "yes," and after the meal went straight to his room to rest.

The next day, before the sky had fully brightened, the three went out, mounted their horses, and headed straight for Wuliang Mountain. Galloping all the way, after some unknown length of time they finally arrived at the foot of Wuliang Mountain.

They saw a magnificent mountain—peaks rising on all sides, majestic and grand, layered scenery upon layered ridges, trees lush and flourishing, exhaling clouds, drawing in mist. Amid the perilous ten thousand ravines and thousand cliffs, beauty was not lost, and within the tiger's roars and apes' cries, the wind's rise added even more grandeur.

At the mountain's foot there was a path leading up, with three or thatched cottages beside the road. Nearby were hitching posts for horses, guarded by people, and a stone stele erected, inscribed with the large characters "Wuliang Sword Sect."

Zhao Ti said: "This great mountain is majestic. Even if the Wuliang Sword Sect guards this place, it can't stop others from going up the mountain. What's the use of erecting a stone stele—do they think this mountain belongs to them?"

Zhou Dong said: "The jianghu generally acts this way, just for the sake of appearances. Young Master need not mind it."

Zhao Ti nodded. Judging by the scene before him, it seemed Jianhu Palace had not yet been raided by the Shennong Gang. If it had already been attacked and finally absorbed by Lingjiu Palace, this place would have been renamed Wuliang Cave, and the name "Wuliang Sword Sect" would certainly no longer be standing.

Since that was the case, it wouldn't do to go up by the main path—they had to sneak into the mountain and then search for the location of Langhuan Fudi.

He was just about to tell Zhou Dong and the other two to leave, when at that moment several mounts came galloping along the road opposite.

It was four men on four horses. When they drew near they reined in their bridles. The leader was an old man around fifty, portly in build, dignified in expression, and mild in bearing.

Zhou Dong shielded his eyes with his hand to look, and said in surprise: "Young Master, the one leading them seems to be the Pu'er tea merchant Ma Wude."

Hm? Zhao Ti raised his brows. Could it really be such a coincidence—had he caught the very event?

Zhou Dong cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted: "Is that Brother Ma Wu across the way?"

The old man, hearing the voice, looked over in this direction, peered and peered again, looked and looked again, yet couldn't make out who it was. He cupped his fists and said: "It is indeed this old one. I wonder which brother stands before me? Please forgive these dim old eyes of mine for not seeing clearly." Saying so, he urged his horse over.

Zhou Dong said: "Young Master, it's been over ten years. This subordinate will go meet him."

Zhao Ti inclined his head. As he watched them draw near, he heard Ma Wude cry out loudly: "So it's Brother Guangzu! Your old brother has missed you terribly!"

Zhou Dong also said: "Old brother, over ten years without seeing you, your bearing is even finer than before."

The two exchanged reminiscences for a moment, each asking of the other's experiences. Zhou Dong only said he had entered the service of a noble house, humbly serving as the young master's personal attendant, and that the young master was on horseback behind. Ma Wude, hearing this, was overjoyed and hurriedly asked to be introduced.

Then they dismounted and exchanged courtesies. Ma Wude introduced to the curious-faced youth in blue robes behind him: "This is Brother Duan Yu. He came to my humble abode out of admiration for my slight reputation, and hearing I was going to Wuliang Mountain for the gathering, he came along, saying the mountains and waters here are tranquil and elegant, and he planned to enjoy the scenery."

Zhao Ti couldn't help but smile, and looked at Duan Yu.

Duan · True-or-False Love Fool · Second-Generation Scumbag · Patriarch of Simps · Founder of the "All Lovers in the World Are Siblings" School · Frank and Open · Yu

He watched Duan Yu perform a scholar's courtesy: "This Brother Zhao actually comes from the Great Song? It truly surprises me. I have long wished to travel to the Song Kingdom to see the rivers and mountains. Meeting you today, who knows but that one day I might come to trouble you—this is truly my good fortune."

Zhao Ti returned the courtesy: "You're too kind, you're too kind."

The story Zhou Dong and Ma Wude told was that they were accompanying Zhao Ti to tour Dali, and having heard of Wuliang Mountain's fame, they had come here. Ma Wude also explained the matter of the Jianhu Palace's East and West Sect martial arts competition, and invited them to go up the mountain together to watch.

Zhou Dong looked toward Zhao Ti. Zhao Ti pondered slightly. Since Duan Yu had not yet taken the Lingbo Weibu and Beiming Divine Art, there were two choices: one was to follow Ma Wude to Jianhu Palace, then find a chance to slip away secretly to seek the Wuliang Jade Wall's Langhuan Fudi.

The other choice was to politely decline and find their own way up the mountain.

The first choice offered the shortest and fastest way to find Langhuan Fudi—after all, in his memory, the landmark for Langhuan Fudi extended from Jianhu Palace. But the drawback was that he might be tied down at Jianhu Palace for some time.

The second choice—politely declining Ma Wude and having the three of them find another path to sneak up the mountain—meant they wouldn't be entangled with the Wuliang Sword Sect and the Shennong Gang. But the drawback was that Wuliang Mountain was vast; sneaking up from elsewhere, let alone directly finding Langhuan Fudi, even finding Jianhu Palace might be impossible. Once too much time passed and Duan Yu took the manuals first, all previous efforts would be wasted.

Therefore, it was better to follow Ma Wude up the mountain, then plan before acting.

At this moment, two men came over from the thatched cottages, cupped their fists to the group, and said: "You gentlemen have been lingering here…"

Ma Wude smiled and produced an invitation. One of the men took it, looked at it, and hurriedly said: "So it is the arrival of Hero Ma! Please hurry up the mountain. Our East Sect's Sect Leader Xin has been waiting for you for some time."

Ma Wude said: "This old one has also brought several friends…"

The man laughed: "Everyone knows Hero Ma has a wide circle of friends. Coming to our Wuliang Mountain to show your support together is our humble sect's good fortune."

Ma Wude smiled and cupped his fists: "In that case, thank you for your trouble."

Then they ascended the mountain. After roughly an hour's journey, they saw in the distance a stretch of rugged buildings—it was the location of Sword Lake Palace!