Chapter 653: Unexpected Encounter

Along the way, Song Qingshu naturally wouldn’t waste such a great opportunity. He frequently sought Zhang Sanfeng’s guidance on the intricacies of martial arts, comparing them with his own insights. After several days, the various martial arts he had learned, despite being vastly different, began to show signs of blending together seamlessly.

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration.

Zhang Sanfeng was indeed a figure who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Bodh!dharma in the Jin Yong universe. His cultivation and knowledge were truly vast and unfathomable.

Zhang Sanfeng, too, was astonished by Song Qingshu’s comprehension. Often, with just a slight hint, Song Qingshu would immediately grasp the concept, making Zhang Sanfeng secretly wonder—hadn’t Qingshu’s aptitude been rather mediocre before? Could this be a case of late blooming?

However, Zhang Sanfeng didn’t dwell on the thought for long. Seeing that Song Yuanqiao had such an exceptional son, he was nothing but pleased. Before long, he noticed that Song Qingshu’s martial arts were incredibly diverse, prompting him to curiously ask about his experiences after the Lion-Slaying Assembly.

Upon hearing that Song Qingshu had received guidance from Wang Yuyan and later traveled to Jingzhou to have his meridians restored with the Divine Brilliance Scripture, Zhang Sanfeng sighed with amazement. “The Miss Wang you speak of is merely a young girl, yet she possesses such extensive knowledge of the world’s martial arts. The world is indeed full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.”

After praising Wang Yuyan, Zhang Sanfeng continued to marvel, “I had heard in my early years that the Divine Brilliance Scripture had the power to bring the dead back to life, but I always dismissed it as mere exaggeration. I never expected it to be true. Though the scripture isn’t widely known, based on your description, its profoundness is certainly no less than the Marrow Cleansing Scripture, the Nine Yang Scripture, or the Nine Yin Scripture.”

When he heard that Song Qingshu had lost all his martial arts due to an accident and later obtained the Joyful Meditation Method in Nyingma Temple, Zhang Sanfeng was even more shocked. “The Lotus Sage is an immensely esteemed figure in Esoteric Buddhism. I never imagined he was still alive.” But then, his brows furrowed. “No wonder you have become so indulgent in lust—it must be the influence of this technique. As far as I know, no one in Esoteric Buddhism has ever truly mastered this martial art. Most practitioners eventually succumb to their desires, fall into demonic ways, and meet a tragic end…”

Cold sweat broke out on Song Qingshu’s forehead, and he hurriedly interrupted, “Grandmaster, I am aware of all this. But back then, I had no other choice. Even if it was like drinking poison to quench my thirst, I had to do it.”

Zhang Sanfeng asked with concern, “This technique is incredibly sinister. The higher your cultivation, the stronger your inner demons become. Have you experienced any abnormalities?”

Feeling warmed by Zhang Sanfeng’s worry, Song Qingshu quickly replied, “I did almost lose myself to my inner demons once…” He then recounted his past entanglements in the Forbidden City, though he carefully omitted certain details.

Zhang Sanfeng found it strange. “With your current level of martial arts, the inner demons you encounter should be far more severe. Why does this technique not seem as terrifying as I expected?”

Song Qingshu chuckled and said frankly, “Perhaps I was naturally a womanizer, which makes me suited for this technique.”

Zhang Sanfeng nodded repeatedly. “That is not entirely unreasonable. Esoteric Buddhism does not observe celibacy, but their practice of dual cultivation contradicts Buddhist principles. Throughout history, high monks of Esoteric Buddhism inevitably developed a sense of guilt while cultivating, making their inner demons harder to dispel over time. But you, a rascal, clearly have no such burden. You even seem eager for it, which ironically spares you from the usual consequences…”

Song Qingshu was stunned. “So being lustful actually has its advantages?”

Zhang Sanfeng shook his head. “If you misuse this technique to harm innocent women, you will still succumb to your inner demons. Fortunately, despite your tendencies, you have some principles and have not engaged in true acts of depravity.”

Song Qingshu’s expression turned awkward. In truth, he had indeed taken several women, such as the Consort Tong, Nan Lan, and Luo Bing… But those were due to his own charm rather than relying on the Joyful Meditation Method to seduce them. Naturally, he wouldn’t dare mention such things in front of Zhang Sanfeng, whose immortal-like demeanor was beyond reproach.

Zhang Sanfeng then inquired about several aspects of the Joyful Meditation Method. After pondering for a long time, he finally said, “Qingshu, if my judgment is correct, as long as you can adhere to the principle of ‘never forgetting your original intent,’ you may actually succeed in mastering this ultimate technique that no one has ever completed.”

Hearing this, Song Qingshu, who greatly respected Zhang Sanfeng’s wisdom, felt a weight lifted from his heart. He couldn’t help but smile. “I wonder what the final result of mastering it would be.”

Gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky, Zhang Sanfeng mused, “It is said that the Yellow Emperor once had three thousand concubines and eventually ascended to the heavens in broad daylight. Perhaps this technique leads to a similar fate.”

“Ascend to the heavens? I’m not interested in that! Establishing a grand harem in this world sounds far more enjoyable!” Song Qingshu shook his head repeatedly. Suddenly, a mischievous idea struck him, and he said eagerly, “Grandmaster, isn’t the ultimate goal of Daoism to achieve celestial ascension? Why don’t I teach you this technique? With your self-discipline, even if you had three thousand women, you could definitely overcome all inner demons.”

Hearing this, Zhang Sanfeng’s face darkened. He couldn’t help but chuckle and scold, “Get lost!”

But suddenly, his expression turned serious.

Song Qingshu also put away his smile and looked at him solemnly, “You heard it too?”

“Mm.” Song Qingshu nodded. From several miles away, the sounds of fierce combat reached their ears. Judging by the intensity, the fighters were both top-tier experts.

The two had an important mission on this journey and were not inclined to meddle in others’ affairs. However, the battlefield happened to lie directly in their path. Uncertain whether the combatants were friend or foe, they saw no reason to detour. With their level of martial arts, they had no need to avoid anyone, so they headed straight for the source of the sounds.

Before long, the battle came into view.

A monk in yellow robes was engaged in a fierce duel with a middle-aged man in blue robes.

“That monk’s palm strikes produce invisible blade-like Qi, and though he appears to attack only twice, there are actually eight bursts of force! When did Shaolin have such a master?” Zhang Sanfeng was secretly alarmed.

Meanwhile, the blue-robed man was equally impressive. His hands moved fluidly, protecting his vital points while subtly countering the monk’s next move. Moreover, the monk seemed hesitant to meet his strikes directly.

Noticing outsiders approaching, both fighters withdrew and stepped back cautiously, eyeing each other warily while also glancing at Zhang Sanfeng and Song Qingshu. But upon recognizing Song Qingshu, both of them suddenly lit up with joy.

“My dear son-in-law, help me take down this foreign monk!”

“Junior brother, be careful of this demon’s sinister martial arts!”

Both men spoke at the same time, only to freeze in shock when they heard each other’s words. “You know each other?”

Song Qingshu found himself at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Both of them were old acquaintances—the yellow-robed monk, with his radiant aura, was none other than the long-absent Jiumozhi, while the blue-robed man, pale as a ghost, was Ren Woxing, the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult.

Seeing that they were all familiar faces, the fight naturally came to a halt.

Both men huffed in frustration but withdrew their techniques.

Song Qingshu sighed, “Why were you two fighting in the first place?”

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