Chapter 468 - 276 Martial Arts Framework

"I just arrived in Wuchang yesterday,"

"I intended to confront Bull’s Nose Feng Yuanzi after hearing my grandson had been expelled from the Sect; however, upon learning the full story, I lost face to make a claim, so I had the pupils in the city search for that little beast..."

"Unexpectedly, that very night, trouble ensued..."

Old Man Zhang Xiaoshan was clearly incensed, grinding his teeth as he said, "My grandson’s secular name is Zhang Yufeng; ever since he was young, he displayed awakened Divine Skills. I was overjoyed and sent him up the mountain."

"Who would have thought, all that intensive practice up the mountain would drive him to madness..."

Hearing his account, Li Yan came to understand the circumstances.

Lei Zhen had once told him, the Zhang Family beneath Wudang Mountain could be considered among the outstanding secular branches of Zhenwu Palace.

Ordinary members of the Zhang Family would from a young age practice Wudang’s martial arts; and those who awakened Divine Skills would be sent up the mountain to cultivate martial arts techniques.

These secular disciples established martial arts schools, escort agencies, and inns all around, acting as Zhenwu Palace’s peripheral forces, mainly active in the pugilistic world.

Similarly, other ancient Mystical Sect forces like Shaolin, Emei, Qingcheng, and Kongtong followed this model.

Despite being external forces, generation after generation of disciples with potential in these families all went up the mountain to cultivate, and over time, gained considerable influence within their sects.

For example, several high-achieving members of Zhenwu Palace came from the Zhang Family.

Zhang Xiaoshan hadn’t awakened Divine Skills, but he had stepped into Dan Strength, and was a figure of considerable renown in the Ezhou pugilistic community.

Of course, they were operating at a different level.

They rarely involved themselves in mundane matters of the pugilistic world, to the extent that ordinary martial artists had not even heard of them.

These individuals typically traveled the land, cultivating the way of martial arts.

When they took action, it was invariably on significant matters in the pugilistic world.

Like Lei Zhen entering Yichang, taking over the Divine Fist Association, and suppressing the underworld of the Yichang pugilistic community—partly to protect an old friend, and partly to coordinate with the court, offering support to fellow soldiers’ offspring.

Zhang Xiaoshan’s visit here was based on the same rationale.

While the Mystical Sect’s power in this area was somewhat depleted, their forces in the pugilistic world were substantial, with numerous secular branches running martial arts schools, and even undertaking protection contracts for river transport missions.

After all, the docks of the Three Towns were appealing to anyone who laid eyes on them.

Even so, the secular disciples were not from a single lineage; even though the various Wudang martial arts schools did not fight openly, they did compete in the shadows.

Moreover, the prior incident involving Yang Chongzi had already turned into a laughingstock.

Thus, Prince Wuchang’s tournament was an opportunity, and so Zhang Xiaoshan had come, specifically tasked with anchoring the strength of the group.

Even if he couldn’t gain entry into Prince Wuchang’s mansion, he couldn’t afford to lose too much face.

Unexpectedly, he encountered a great setback as soon as he entered Han Yang.

"Senior mustn’t be anxious,"

Li Yan spoke to soothe him, "Your grandson was merely confused for a moment. The opposing party is astonishingly cunning, and they excel at manipulating people."

"He was threatened, and there is no blood on his hands. If the senior were to speak up, rescuing him should be effortless."

"What would I save him for?!"

Zhang Xiaoshan’s eyebrows lifted sharply as he glared with his dead fish eyes and cursed, "Let that foolish boy sober up in jail for a few days."

"He has already tarnished Wudang’s reputation; if I were to rely on Wudang’s name to save him now, I’d be the laughingstock of everyone. I might as well dash my head against the wall and put an end to it!"

This old man spoke just as foully as the former Zhang Shitong.

Li Yan had already witnessed it and didn’t mind; he pondered and said, "Observing Yun Niang’s actions and tactics, I suspect they are inextricably linked with the ’Yan’ family. You could follow this lead in your investigation."

"Do you think I’m an idiot?!"

With a roll of his eyes, Zhang Xiaoshan stood up and left.

Before he left, he gave Li Yan another look and shook his head, saying, "I remember now, you’re the one who killed a man in the streets on the Lantern Festival in Chang’an, right?"

"Damn it, strays are always stronger than house dogs; once this matter settles, I’ll kick that little beast out to travel and experience the world..."

With those words, he shook his head and left with his hands behind his back.

Without anyone noticing, over a dozen energetic young men had gathered in the alley outside the Tian Family mansion, each one full of vitality with slightly bulging temples.

As soon as Zhang Xiaoshan stepped out the door, they quickly followed.

The old man’s eyes blazed with sinister fire, and he spoke with a grim expression:

"Spread the word, have the leaders of the Green Forest Road come to see me; anyone arriving late will have their legs broken!"

"Yes, Old Ancestor!"

The martial arts school disciples bowed one after another.

...

"Hey, that old man really has a foul mouth!"

Back inside the Tian Family mansion, Sha Lifei smacked his lips and chuckled, "Looks even more like a grandfather to Zhang Shitong with those dead fish eyes."

Before he finished speaking, another servant hurried into the front hall, "Reporting to the master, some monks have arrived requesting an audience."

Landlord Tian sighed, "Invite them in quickly."

He then went out to receive them personally.

Li Yan knew that the visitors must be from the Law Enforcement Hall, but as the local enforcement monks were mostly from the Buddhist order and unknown to him, he didn’t bother to greet them.

Shortly after, Landlord Tian returned with several monks.

The sight of the leading monk caused Li Yan’s pupils to shrink suddenly.

The monk was a towering figure, half a head taller than Sha Lifei, with a large head and striking facial features, sword-like eyebrows, and eyes wide-open—imposing without being angry.

Dressed in a yellow monk’s robe and wearing armor around his waist, his broad shoulders and robust arms, veined like twisted vines, suggested immense strength; his movements were like a moving wall.

More precisely, he resembled a Dharma Protector Vajra from a temple.

Extraordinary individuals possess distinctive signs.

Even if this monk had not yet attained Dan Strength, the aura of power emanating from him posed a threat to Li Yan.

"Amitabha!"

The monk’s voice was like a great bell as he greeted with a single palm and stated solemnly, "This humble monk, ’Cheng Jue’ of Baotong Zen Temple, is also a patrolling monk from the Wuchang Law Enforcement Hall."

"I am here to inquire about certain matters."

In the southern part of Hubei, the Buddhist Tao forces of the Zen sect were mighty, boasting many temples, with Baotong Zen Temple being the most preeminent.