【Under the Great Tomorrow】(Chapter 7-9)

Author: hui329
Published: 2016/8/1 First Published: Word
Count: 16693
Chapter Seven: There's Always a
Way Out The Yinshan path was winding and treacherous, shrouded in a light drizzle, the spring air crisp and clear.
More than ten large carts loaded with goods moved along the path. Not far behind the convoy, an old man and a young man walked leisurely, following behind
. The young man was tall and elegant, dressed in a blue robe, holding an oil-paper umbrella in one hand, sheltering himself and the old man under its shade
. It was none other than Ding Shou.
The old man turned his head and slowly said, "Old age brings many ailments. These past few days, being cooped up in the cart for so long has made my blood circulation poor
, so I had to get out and walk around. I'm sorry to have troubled Young Master Ding to hold the umbrella for me."
"You flatter me, sir. My legs have been a bit sore and numb from the long journey, and I didn't want to delay the group's schedule
, so I took this opportunity to get off and stroll around. I'm truly grateful to have you here, Uncle Fu."
It turned out that this old man was none other than Zhang Shu's steward, Zhang Fu. Perhaps Ding Shou's fertility was too good,
because after more than two months, Ruizhu hadn't given birth. A doctor was consulted and it was discovered that she was pregnant. Zhang Shu was overjoyed and held a banquet to celebrate. During the banquet
, he said that his younger brother had been away from home for a long time and that his family must miss him. Recently, a merchant caravan from his household had gone out to buy goods and would be returning via Xuanfu
. He could travel with the old steward, and so on. If Ding Shou still didn't understand that this was a way
of telling him, his cheap father, to leave as soon as possible, then he had lived two lifetimes in vain. So, the host and guest were happy. Originally, Ding Shou wanted to
say goodbye to Ruizhu before leaving and enjoy the beauty of her home a little longer, but Zhang Shu treated him like a thief, and he couldn't even
enter the inner quarters. When the time came, he had no choice but to slink away.
Seeing that they were getting further and further away from the caravan, Ding Shou said, "Uncle Fu, we need to hurry, lest we fall
behind."
"It's alright," Zhang Fu said. "This Yinshan path has a cliff on one side and a precipitous wall on the other. There's only one road to take, so we won't miss
it." As he spoke, Zhang Fu took a wine flask from his waist and handed it to Ding Shou. "The wind is cold and the dew is heavy. Have a drink to ward off
the chill."
Ding Shou thanked him, took the wine flask, handed his umbrella to Zhang Fu, unscrewed the cap, and took a big gulp. He immediately felt
a fiery heat rise straight to his chest and abdomen, and his whole body warmed up. He praised the wine as excellent.
"It's fine wine," Zhang Fu laughed. "Young Master Ding is fifteen, isn't he? In casual conversation, I've noticed you've been
pampered since childhood, never suffering much hardship. You're much happier than many people who live to fifty or sixty."
Ding Shou found this strange, and seeing the odd smile on Zhang Fu's face, he asked, "Uncle Fu, what do you mean?" Suddenly, he felt
a sharp pain in his abdomen, clutching it. "You... the wine is poisoned!"
"Hehe, young master, don't blame me. It's just that you're naive. Some things are better kept quiet by the dead
." Zhang Fu's once kind face turned menacing.
"I... even as a ghost, I won't let you go!" Ding Shou screamed.
"Young master, go ahead. When you see the King of Hell, just tell this old man. In ten or eight years, I'll come down and
join you." With that, Zhang Fu kicked Ding Shou off the cliff. Looking up, he saw that the rain had stopped, and casually
threw down his oil-paper umbrella as well. Then, he looked around and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Help! Something's wrong! Young Master Ding has fallen off
the cliff while drunk!"
Ding Shou fell from the sky, feeling the wind whistling in his ears, his ears, eyes, and nose aching from the wind. He fell faster and
faster, feeling like he was about to faint. He even temporarily forgot the cramps in his stomach. He opened his mouth and forced a cry of "Help
!" before he really passed out.
**********
...

Ding Shou steadied himself, pinched himself lightly—it hurt, meaning he wasn't dead. Relieved, he said, "I was
saved by you, senior. I am deeply grateful. May I ask your honorable name? I will remember it forever and pray for your well-being day and night
."
"Heh heh, my honorable name? Haha, who am I? Heh heh, who am I…" the man chuckled incessantly
.
"Perhaps a madman," Ding Shou thought to himself.
The laughter abruptly stopped. The strange man touched the marks he had drawn on the wall, counting for a long time, "Nineteen thousand two
hundred and thirty-eight days. More than fifty years. Is that brat Zhu Qizhen still alive?"
"Oh, it's the fifteenth year of the Hongzhi reign now. Emperor Yingzong has been dead for nearly forty years." Ding Shou vaguely realized
who this man was.
"That kid didn't even make it to forty, but I've lasted this long, haha. Oh, Emperor Yingzong, huh? He even got
a decent temple name."
"This junior dares to ask, senior, are you the Heavenly Demon Wen Yuzhu from back then?" Ding Shou asked, forcing a smile.
"Hmm? How do you know my name, kid? When I was expelling the poison from you just now, I clearly sensed that you had no
internal energy and weren't a martial arts practitioner."
Ding Shou then recounted how he heard about the Heavenly Demon, even telling the whole story of Wen Yuzhu being
suspected of being a Mongol spy and how he was ambushed after impregnating someone.
He wanted to be objective and truthful, and he didn't believe that this old madman would go to all the trouble of saving him and then throw him out again for something like this.
"You're quite the character, aren't you? You did something like this without a second thought, completely disregarding propriety and shame
. Interesting," the strange man nodded repeatedly, seemingly agreeing with the sentiment, "Your shamelessness reminds me of my younger days."
"It's just that you didn't think things through. Hmm, you're half right about what I did. As for the majority...
hehe, fifty years ago my name was Wen Yuzhu, and a hundred years ago it should be reversed. I was called Zhu Yunwen
!
"
At the foot of Nanshan Mountain, the pines and cypresses were verdant, and the flowers were in full bloom,
making it a pleasant time for a spring outing. But now, all that could be seen were figures flying about, swords flashing, and a loud shout rang out. Seven or eight figures were sent flying backwards. Standing in the center was a man with a long
beard, wearing a tall hat and wide belt, his hands clasped behind his back.
"You traitorous lackeys, you don't know your own mortality!"
The only one among those who had been thrown back, managing to stand, wiped the blood from his mouth. "Fang Xiaoru,
the unification of the empire is a foregone conclusion. You remnants of Jianwen don't understand destiny. I, Ji Gang, will surely bring you to justice. At that time, I fear your entire
clan will be wiped out."
Fang Xiaoru spread his hands, saying, "Ten clans? What if you have the ability? Come and take me if you dare."
"Haha, I've long admired Grand Scholar Fang's righteous spirit and profound skill. Today, I would like to ask the Grand Scholar to give me some pointers
." A burly eunuch in his thirties tossed his scarlet cloak to a guard beside him and stepped into the arena.
"I've long heard of the formidable martial arts and illustrious achievements of Eunuch Sanbao under Yan Ni's command. Today, I'll have the chance to learn from him." Fang Xiaoru
focused his mind, as
still as a deep pool and a towering mountain. Zheng He smiled slightly, then lunged forward with ghostly speed. Fang Xiaoru struck out with a palm, seemingly slow but actually swift.
Zheng He swayed and attacked from the other side. Fang Xiaoru turned and struck out again, but Zheng He's figure shifted once more,
flitting around Fang Xiaoru like a ghost, graceful as a startled swan.
Fang Xiaoru remained steadfast amidst the changing circumstances, his body spinning like a top. He merely repelled his opponent with palm strikes, his righteous energy filling an area of several feet
, giving Zheng He no chance to approach. In the blink of an eye, a hundred moves had passed. Fang Xiaoru grew anxious, realizing
that his movements were no match for Zheng He's. He knew that if he continued to expend his true energy to repel the enemy, he would eventually be unable to hold on. He had to finish the fight quickly
. He raised his hand and forced Zheng He back again, then turned his body, revealing an opening in his ribs. As expected, Zheng He attacked, changing his stance
and grabbing at Fang Xiaoru's left ribs. Fang Xiaoru shouted, "Good!" and reversed his yin and yang, his body already upside down, head
down and feet up, channeling his righteous energy to its fullest extent, striking Zheng He's head with both palms.
Zheng He's lips curled slightly upwards, his palms raised high as if to ignite the heavens. "I've granted your wish."
As the two approached, a surging power seemed to erupt from the heavens and earth, invisible currents of air swirling and
colliding, causing the clothes of the imperial guards standing to the side to flutter.
When their palms met, there was no expected deafening roar, but a "pop" as if the air was being torn apart
. Leaves fell like rain from the surrounding pines and cypresses, and the imperial guards around them lost their footing. Those with weaker skills even fainted.
Ji Gang's injuries worsened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. In an instant, Fang Xiaoru was blasted away in mid-air, flying backwards until
he crashed into a large pine tree that two people could barely encircle before stopping. With a thud, the pine tree swayed several times as if about
to break. In contrast, Zheng He's feet were half a foot deep in the ground, his face turning pale, but he quickly returned to normal.
"Sheng, your reputation is indeed well-deserved. May I ask, what kind of martial arts do you use?" Fang Xiaoru
asked haltingly, his face ashen.
"The Sunflower Manual," Zheng He replied calmly.
"The Sunflower Manual?" Fang Xiaoru looked as if he were about to die.
"Heaven and earth were born for me, and all things are for my use," Zheng He explained patiently, as if
teaching a student the principles of life in a private school.
Ji Gang, unable to wait any longer, said, "Fang Xiaoru, now that you've been captured, you'd better tell me Jianwen's whereabouts
, or my Jinyiwei's forty-eight sets of tortures in the Imperial Prison are not to be trifled with."
"Haha, cough cough," Fang Xiaoru coughed up a mouthful of blood, "As expected of a lackey, now you start barking and
howling. You've all been fooled. I'll hold you back here. His Majesty has already sailed out to sea, and will gather loyal and righteous
men to reclaim the country. Let's see what fate awaits you traitorous lackeys. I cherish my noble spirit; where righteousness lies
, I will go even if it means facing a million men..." His voice faded, and the renowned scholar passed away peacefully.
Zheng He, with the help of his guards, fastened his cloak and softly ordered, "Return to the shipyard to report."
The guards bowed in response. Ji Gang said urgently, "Wait, Eunuch Zheng, Fang Xiaoru's dying words are not credible.
Jianwen is very likely still in these mountains. We should launch a large-scale search of the mountains. If all else fails, we should set the mountains on fire. We must not
let the imperial criminal escape."
"Lord Ji, what if Fang Xiaoru reveals the truth before he dies? We still need to mobilize the navy to search for him at sea. We can't
delay here."
Seeing that Ji Gang was about to speak again, Zheng He's voice turned cold: "The Eastern Depot has its own rules. If Lord Ji
wants to search the mountain, please do so. I will not accompany
you." Ji Gang cursed inwardly. If the Jinyiwei's experts hadn't been wiped out this time, who would be so humble as to beg this eunuch?
If Jianwen had a few more people with martial arts skills like Fang Xiaoru by his side, he wouldn't even have a place to be buried after death. But His Majesty
favors this eunuch so much, and there's nowhere to get revenge. So he smiled obsequiously and said, "I will naturally follow your lead, Eunuch
." He cursed inwardly that he would find a few servants to castrate when he got back and give them a good beating to vent his anger.
After the Embroidered Uniform Guards and the Eastern Depot agents took Fang Xiaoru's body away, Zheng He did not rush down the mountain.
Instead, he walked several dozen steps eastward, bowed to a clump of bushes, and said, "Heaven cherishes life, and we
dare not defy it. You, sir, must know that the world is one family. Do not start another war. Looking across the nine provinces and four seas, the imperial court is but
a corner." With that, he drifted away.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Ding Shou's mind was a bit confused. The Sunflower Manual, Zheng He—what did this have to do with anything? He hesitated and asked, "You were...
?"
"That's right. I was in that secret passage at the time, but he had already discovered me. Observing his life-
and-death battle with Master Fang, I was struck by the vastness of martial arts. Fortunately, among the treasures I took with me when I escaped from the palace was a wondrous book
..."
"Is it the 'Myriad Manifestations Manual'?" Ding Shou's eyes lit up.
"Indeed, after the Mongol emperors compiled this book, the dynasty changed hands within a few decades.
None of the eleven emperors mastered the martial arts described within. The book contained a vast and complex array of techniques, with varying methods of internal energy cultivation. Trying to learn multiple techniques simultaneously could
easily lead to demonic possession. Fortunately, after being compiled by Phagpa and others, it was proofread by a remarkable person who discovered
its secrets. He refined it, creating an appendix called 'The Heavenly Demon Strategy,' which contained various extraordinary martial arts
techniques. One of these, the Heavenly Demon Formless Divine Skill, had a unique method of internal energy cultivation, allowing the user to freely employ martial arts from various schools. Unfortunately, the Mongol
emperors only knew how to greedily practice the Heavenly Demon Blissful Mind Method, becoming addicted to lust and dying young. Therefore,
this book was listed as a forbidden item in the Yuan Dynasty's inner court. When Xu Da, the Prince of Zhongshan, led his northern expedition to Dadu, the book fell into the hands of the Ming court. The Emperor, considering the Mongol..."
" The Yuan dynasty's calamity led to a ban on the Ming dynasty's descendants practicing martial
arts. With the collapse of the dynasty, what did I care about my life? Thus, I disregarded my ancestor's ban and practiced the martial arts recorded therein, achieving some success within ten years."
"I wonder who that extraordinary person is, managing to fill
in the gaps for three masters all by himself." "That person is Liu Bingzhong, courtesy name Zhonghui, Daoist name Cangchun Sanren, Buddhist name Zicong. He is proficient in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism
. The Wudang founder Zhang Sanfeng was a close friend of his despite their age difference, and Zhang Sanfeng received much guidance from him in his youth." Zhu Yunwen
continued, "Once my divine skill was complete, I went to seek revenge on that eunuch Zheng He. If I couldn't defeat him, there was no point
in talking about killing the Yan rebel and plotting to restore the country. Who knew the result..."
"I lost," Zhu Yunwen said with a bitter smile, "So I practiced diligently for another ten years, and still lost. Until the third
duel, by which time the Yan rebel was dead, and the desire to restore the country had faded, but the obsession remained. So,
before his seventh voyage, we faced off again..."
"Did we lose again this time?" Ding Shou asked dejectedly. If they lost three times in three battles,
why did those martial arts practitioners fight so fiercely over martial arts manuals back then? They could have just taken the manuals to the palace.
"We won this time. Zheng He was seriously injured and died on the way, not long after this voyage," Zhu Yunwen's expression
began to change. "But for thirty years, Zheng He made seven voyages to the Western Seas, displaying his power in foreign lands. After his death, he was honored with temples and shrines. I,
Zhu Yunwen, was usurped by a usurper and could not even protect my wife and children. My achievements are less than those of a eunuch. What use am I!"
"The world is vast, and the imperial court is but a corner. Zheng He's words are magnificent. So I gathered
the orphans of the former officials of the Jingnan Rebellion, taught them martial arts according to their aptitude, established the Heavenly Demon Palace, unified the martial arts world, stopped the fighting in the martial arts world, and made a treaty at Mount Tai to
stop the private fighting between sects. Haha, this is unprecedented, isn't it?" Zhu Yunwen laughed wildly, lost in his sense of accomplishment
.
"That's not certain. Prevention is better than cure. Such a forced peace might just be a hidden danger leading to future chaos in the martial world,
" Ding Shou said unconsciously.
"What did you say? Say it again!" Zhu Yunwen shouted sternly .
Anyone would find it unbearable to have their self-proclaimed achievements criticized, let alone Zhu Yunwen, the emperor. Damn it, I
'll risk it. At worst, this madman will throw me off a cliff, and I'll continue my journey to find the King of Hell. Ding Shou thought to himself. "
Where there are people, there are grudges. When there are many grudges, the martial world is formed. Forcing
the martial world to stop fighting only hides the grudges deeper. Within three months, twenty-one families were wiped out. Was it all the work of the Heavenly Demon Palace alone?
The bloodshed and turmoil of the following decades were just to settle the grudges of the past. Because of grudges, people in the martial world can
work hard to practice martial arts, and the martial arts of various schools can improve. It is the so-called survival of the fittest."
Ding Shou didn't bother to quote Darwin's theory in advance. Anyway, he had already offended them, so he might as well offend them enough. "On the contrary,
the court should strive for stability. It is said that governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. If the reduction of the power of the princes had been done slowly and
not too aggressively, how could the eight hundred guards of the Prince of Yan's mansion have dared to be so reckless as to make a rash move..."
Before Ding Shou could finish speaking, Zhu Yunwen shouted loudly, and Ding Shou felt as if he had been hit in the chest with a hammer and fainted.
After a long while, Ding Shou opened his eyes again, feeling nauseous and his chest tight. He saw stars and heard
a weak, aged voice in his ears, "You're awake. My story isn't finished yet. Would you still like to hear it?"
"This junior is all ears." Ding Shou wasn't afraid of death, but this old fellow was clearly losing his mind.
He couldn't bear to suffer like this.
"During the Tumu Crisis, Zhu Qizhen was kidnapped. How could the descendants of the Ming Dynasty be allowed to fall into the hands of foreign tribes? So I, alone
, infiltrated the desert, stormed the Khan's tent, rescued the boy, and brought him back to the capital."
"So, the Mongol nobleman who was ambushed in Yinshan fifty years ago was..."
Zhu Yunwen nodded, "That boy."
"Bah! What righteous path of the martial world, what senior figures of the Jianghu? A bunch of shameless scoundrels seeking fame and fortune!
Why didn't you explain back then?"
"What's the use of explaining to them? Why should they need an explanation? And why should I explain to them?"
Ding Shou was speechless. The man was after the secret manual. He didn't know if the man would believe him if he told him; he might even
have silenced the unfortunate emperor. "Then do you know who delivered the secret letter?"
"It could be anyone in the Heavenly Demon Palace," Zhu Yunwen said, seeing his wide-open mouth in surprise. "The Heavenly Demon Palace
is full of descendants of Jianwen's loyalists, who suffered endless persecution and humiliation at the hands of the Yan rebels. This is why I infiltrated the desert alone.
Ironically, after revealing my identity to that brat Zhu Qizhen, the boy actually bowed to me and offered to release my
son Wengui upon returning to the capital. When I asked him if he was worried about taking over the throne in the future, he actually replied, 'Those who have the mandate of heaven will do as they please.'
" "Although this boy is absurd and outrageous, his imperial demeanor is evident."
Ding Shou, seeing Zhu Yunwen suddenly turn to look at him, already knew his meaning. "After Emperor Yingzong seized the throne, he released the Jianwen commoner
faction."
"He still keeps his word." Zhu Yunwen nodded.
Ding Shou felt a rumbling in his stomach and said embarrassedly, "I wonder what you've been eating for the past few decades, senior?"
Zhu Yunwen pointed to the skeleton, "I used to rely on beggars like this, now I'll rely on you." He then licked
his lips with his scarlet tongue.
Ding Shou shuddered. "Is Your Majesty joking?"
"A ruler's word is law." Zhu Yunwen flicked his finger, and a wisp of wind struck Ding Shou, instantly rendering him immobile
.
Ding Shou was about to cry. Knowing he would be eaten, he would rather have fallen off the cliff and been shattered to pieces.
"Senior, no, Your Majesty…" The wind struck again, and he couldn't speak, not even blink
. Then he felt a powerful push, and his body was at the cave entrance. The cave was a crevice in the cliff, with a three-
foot-long stone ridge protruding outside. Ding Shou's upper body was now hanging precariously in mid-air, and with the mountain wind blowing, he
felt he might fall at any moment.
After an unknown amount of time suspended in mid-air, he suddenly heard the cry of an eagle and saw a dark shadow swooping down on him. Just as it was about to
reach him, a suction force pulled him and the eagle in together. Ding Shou ended up at Zhu Yunwen's feet, while the eagle was already
dead in Zhu Yunwen's hands.
Then a gentle breeze caressed his body, and he immediately regained his mobility. Ding Shou rolled over and stood up. "Is this how Your Majesty saved me
?"
"That's right, and this tattered umbrella was sucked in the same way." Zhu Yunwen casually
tossed the oil-paper umbrella and the dead eagle over. "Go to the edge of the cliff and clean them up. Consider it a gift for becoming an apprentice."
"Is... what, becoming an apprentice?" Ding Shou doubted his ears.
Zhu Yunwen rolled his eyes. "What, you don't want to?"
Of course he wanted to! Ding Shou happily ran to the edge of the cliff to pluck feathers.
Chapter Eight: Refusing to Eat Food Offered with
Contempt As time went on, Ding Shou learned that when Xiao Wanche fell off the cliff, although he caught Zhu Yunwen,
Zhu Yunwen countered before they were even halfway down, seizing his dog-beating stick. In mid-air, Zhu Yunwen used a combination of thrusts and taps to dissipate the force,
using the beggar as a human shield when they reached the cave's height. Xiao Wanche suffered broken bones and tendons, while Zhu Yunwen was unharmed. However, he
suffered severe internal injuries from the attack and was poisoned by the Tang Clan's deadly poison, damaging his meridians and leaving him crippled. When Ding Shou asked him
how he was able to expel the poison, the old man hit him several times with his dog-beating stick. "Do you think Tang Clan poison
is your cheap arsenic?" he retorted. "Back then, protecting my heart was difficult enough; I didn't have time to worry about my legs."
Zhu Yunwen stated that the Heavenly Demon Strategy is the general outline of all martial arts, therefore, instruction should begin with the Heavenly Demon Strategy. The Way of the Heavenly Demon is close
to the Way of Heaven, yet lies between the Way of the Demon. Buddhism seeks transcendence, Taoism follows nature, and the Demonic Way is free
. The Way of Heaven diminishes the excess and replenishes the deficiency; therefore, emptiness overcomes fullness, and deficiency overcomes excess. The Way of the Demon has an finite life and an infinite death; therefore, life and death
are finite, yet the finite transforms into the infinite. The Demon acts according to the Way of Heaven, and thus reaches insufficiency; Heaven acts according to the Way of the Demon, and thus begins infinity. The Way of Heaven
is constant and balanced, while the Way of the Demon is ever-changing; therefore, it reaches insufficiency, and ultimately infinity. When the Way returns to oneness, the Heavenly Demon is born. The Heavenly Demon Heart Method is
divided into six levels. Reaching the highest level allows one to combine emptiness and fullness, transforming clouds into rain, and participating in the changes of Heaven and Earth.
Nearly three years have passed in the blink of an eye. Ding Shoutian has completed the foundation building of his demonic martial arts. In the following month, Zhu Yunwen
forced Ding Shoutian to memorize various mental cultivation techniques and secret manuals like a duck being forced to eat. Ding Shoutian was miserable and complained, "Master,
why are you in such a hurry?"
"In such a hurry to die," Zhu Yunwen sighed. "No one can escape the Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man. My lifespan is coming
to an end, and I'm afraid I won't have time to teach you anymore."
"Master, you..." Ding Shoutian choked up. Although he had been tormented by this unpredictable old madman for three years
, they had depended on each other for survival in this cave.
"No need to be sad. Zhu Yunwen is a wicked ruler, causing trouble within his own ranks. He should have apologized to his grandfather long ago. Oh,
and Zheng He too, we can have a chance to compete again in the afterlife. It's you I'm worried about. Your time is running out, and I must
use this century's worth of internal energy for something."
"Master, are you going to pass on your power to me?" Ding Shou's sorrow turned to joy. A century's worth of internal energy! That's enough to kill anyone
.
When Zhu Yunwen understood the meaning behind Ding Shou's words, he picked up the green jade staff and gave him another beating. "If there really
is such a skill to transfer internal energy to others, then who would bother to train their muscles and bones and practice martial arts?
They could just wait for their master to die so they could receive the power. Shaolin Temple has been passed down for a thousand years. Do those bald monks all have a thousand years' worth of internal energy
? Who told you this nonsense?"
After beating him enough and calming down, his expression changed and he continued to speak in a gentle tone: "The Heavenly Demon Strategy contains a jade..." "This great method
is derived from the Shaolin Yi Jin Jing and Xi Sui Jing. The difference is that it's not self-cultivated, but rather applied to the inheritor to open
the eight extraordinary meridians, helping them broaden their meridians and improve their physique. Afterwards, their internal energy cultivation will yield several times the results of ordinary people. With the Ren
and Du meridians open, internal energy will be inexhaustible. However, the practitioner must possess profound skill, and the recipient must have deep blessings
. Both parties face great danger. Are you willing to gamble with your master?" "
As long as you don't use the Southern Kingdom to attack me, you can make me jump right now." Ding Shou nodded, rubbing his shoulder.
Zhu Yunwen nodded in satisfaction. "While the idea of transferring power is false, there are indeed methods to steal someone's power.
The Heavenly Demon Bliss Technique I'm teaching you uses the method of 'absorbing essence' to steal a person's vital energy. For the past few decades, I've been confined to my cave, and from the Heavenly Demon Bliss
, I conceived a strange idea, combining Taoist sexual techniques with Tantric meditation, creating a new mental method called the Heavenly Essence Demon Path. It increases power through male-
female intercourse and even has the effect of cleansing the marrow and removing impurities. Seeing how obedient you are, I'll pass it all on to you."
Ding Shou silently took his leave . Reciting the incantation of the Heavenly Demonic Path, Ding Shou suddenly felt his body go limp and collapsed to the ground. He faintly heard Zhu
Yunwen's voice in his ears, "I don't have much time left. I will now perform the Jade Transfer Technique. If you can pass this test,
there are some words left on the stone wall. Read them yourself."
Ding Shou felt a sudden heat rising in his body, as if his limbs, bones, and internal organs had been thrown into a furnace, about to turn
to ashes. Suddenly, his meridians felt like they were being pierced by needles, and he spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
He didn't know how much time had passed before he woke up, feeling refreshed and invigorated. His dantian's true qi was flowing endlessly, and he had actually
broken through to the third level of the Heavenly Demonic True Qi. He exclaimed joyfully, "Master, I won the bet!"
There was no response. He turned his head and saw Zhu Yunwen leaning against the wall, a smile on his lips, having let go of him.
Ding Shou knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times. Remembering the words before he fainted, he turned to look at the wall and indeed saw several lines of words carved on it.
After reading them, he pondered for a moment and then scraped all the writing off.
Several more months passed. Looking down at the clouds and mist shrouding his feet, Ding Shou secretly prayed for his deceased master's protection
, hoping that his martial arts skills would be lost forever. He also hoped that his master wouldn't be smashed to pieces. Ding Shou
didn't really want to rush into this gamble, but his current skill was limited.
Although he knew how to use both the Dragon-Capturing Skill and the Crane-Controlling Technique, his ability to manipulate objects was far inferior to Zhu Yunwen's. He was barely surviving and
starving. Ding Shou didn't want to continue suffering like this. He decided to risk everything, whether he lived or died.
Holding an oil-paper umbrella in his left hand and the jade staff that had subjected him to countless lashes over the past three years in his right, Ding Shou gritted
his teeth, pushed the Heavenly Demon Formless Heart Technique to its limit, and leaped down. In mid-air, he held up the oil-paper umbrella to slow his descent.
He first used the Swallow Flying Body Technique of the Swallow Sect, his body soaring and gliding like a swallow. As his momentum waned,
he tapped the cliff face with the jade staff, causing the bamboo staff to bend and nearly break under the force. Taking advantage of this moment, he regrouped and used the resilience of the jade staff to rebound
, switching to the Wudang Ladder Cloud Leap. With a nimble and light flip, he fell again. Relying on the unobstructed flow of his eight extraordinary meridians,
the continuous internal energy in his dantian, and the blending of all things in the Formless Heart Technique, Ding Shou used thirteen different light body techniques from seven different sects within ten breaths
, finally landing safely at the bottom of the valley.
Secretly congratulating himself on his good fortune, Ding Shou tossed aside his oil-paper umbrella. After a
moment's hesitation, he hid the green jade staff among the mountain vines. The bamboo staff, though useful, was too conspicuous. Having concealed it, Ding Shou turned and disappeared into the vast mountains
.
********************
The secluded valley was silent and still. A gust of wind rose, swirling up fallen leaves, which then fell again with a desolate rustling. Several
horses, tethered to trees, seemed disturbed by the falling leaves, snorting softly.
A campfire blazed, several game pieces roasting on it. 　　An elderly man with white hair and no beard sat on a blue stone,
while his attendants constantly turned the game, sprinkling various seasonings on it, filling the air with a fragrant aroma. "Someone's there." A middle-aged man emerged from the shadows behind the blue stone, 　　sword in hand. The attendants, startled, drew their weapons and swiftly formed a crescent shape to protect the old man on the stone—clean and efficient, clearly skilled 　　fighters. 　　Ding Shou slowly emerged from the shadows of the woods, looking at the group with some surprise. Since cultivating the Heavenly Demon Strategy 　　, his senses had become acute. Although he had been distracted by the aroma of the roasting meat and inadvertently revealed his 　　presence, he hadn't noticed the sword-wielding man at all. This man was unfathomable; this group was no ordinary person. 　　His gaze swept over the game on the shelf, then lingered, unable to look away. For the past three years, he had only eaten snakes, insects, rodents, birds 　　, and wild fruits—tasteless and often lacking in food. How could this compare to the spiced roasted meat he now enjoyed? He couldn't help but swallow 　　hard. 　　"Where did this beggar come from, sneaking around like that?" someone called out. 　　"Beggar? Me?" Ding Shou looked down at himself. He had grown quite a bit in the past three years, and his original long robe 　　was no longer enough. Moreover, three years of living in a cave had worn it to tatters, leaving him barely clothed. He truly looked like a beggar. 　　He couldn't help but laugh and cry, saying, "Gentlemen, I am not a beggar. I just happened to be passing by..." 　　The beardless old man sitting on the blue stone, who had been silent with his head bowed, looked up at him. "Want some? 　　" 　　Ding Shou nodded repeatedly. 　　"Do you have any money?" the old man asked again. 　　"Uh—" Ding Shou touched his clothes. He did have some silver, but when he jumped off the cliff, 　　he practically slept naked to lighten his load, so he didn't want any extra weight. He shook his head 　　. "Then are you a beggar?" the old man asked with a smile. 　　"Hahaha," the followers laughed along. 　　Ding Shou felt both ashamed and angry. If he weren't wary of the sword-wielding man, he would have killed them on the spot. 　　The old man stopped laughing, and the followers, seeing their master was no longer smiling, also stopped laughing awkwardly. 　　"Give this to him." The old man pointed to a roasted pheasant. 　　"Yes." One of the followers obeyed, skewered a pheasant on a branch, and handed it over rather unceremoniously. 　　"Here, this is a gift from my master." 　　"No need. Although I am not talented, I do not deign to accept charity." He took off a jade pendant from his neck 　　. "This should be enough to exchange for a chicken." 　　The follower glanced at him and presented the jade pendant to the old man. 　　The old man gently pinched the jade; it was hard, a piece of jadeite. Turning it over for a closer look, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Eh!" 　　The jade pendant's texture was delicate, faintly forming the character "寿" (longevity). 　　"Though not of the highest grade, it carries auspicious meaning, making it one in a million. Where did you obtain it?" the old man asked. 　　"I've worn it since childhood. According to my late father, my name comes from it. Please 　　tell me your address, and I will redeem it a hundredfold in the future." 　　"Hehe, aren't you afraid I'll just make up an address and trick you out of this jade?" 　　Seeing Ding Shou's embarrassed expression, the old man laughed. "I won't take advantage of you. Just explain your origins 　　clearly. As long as you prove this jade is truly yours, I'll keep it for you for a while." He gestured for Ding Shou to sit 　　opposite him. 　　Ding Shou then recounted his life story, omitting his experiences in Pingyang and the cave. He explained that he had gone out for a trip 　　, accidentally fell off a cliff, and thankfully escaped unharmed, but lost his belongings and money 　　. He was now preparing to return home. 　　The old man listened while examining the jade pendant, nodding occasionally. A servant brought 　　over some roasted game, which the old man urged Ding Shou to eat while he continued his story. He then picked up a plump chicken and opened a blue cloth-covered iron cage at his feet. 　　Inside was a black fox, its fur vibrant, its limbs slender, its downy fur fluffy, and its tail seemingly nine strands, like a cloud 　　of mist. Its fox eyes appeared to be filled with tears, gazing pitifully at Ding Shou. 　　The old man placed the plump chicken in his hand into the cage, covered it with the blue cloth again, and looked at Ding Shou with a seemingly reluctant expression. He reminded 　　him, "Don't be soft-hearted. This nine-tailed fox is extremely cunning. We spent three months in Liaodong trying to capture this beast, repeatedly 　　falling into traps and losing seven or eight men before finally catching it." 　　"Why capture it?" Although the old man said this, Ding Shou still felt sorry for the fox. 　　"My young master wants it, so we'll find a way to get it. As for whether our master lives or dies, that's not something we can 　　decide," the old man said, poking at the campfire with a branch. 　　"Oh?" Ding Shou was somewhat surprised. Judging from the old man's demeanor, he must have been in a high position for a long time, yet he was still a servant. He 　　really didn't know who his master was. 　　Suddenly, the sound of approaching hooves grew louder. The attendants glanced around and recognized them. "It's our men." 　　The rider dismounted and pulled a letter from the approaching attendant. 　　The attendant presented the letter to the old man, who glanced at it, then abruptly stood up. "Pack your things, we're heading back to the capital immediately." 　　Turning to Ding Shou, he said, "Boy, if you want to redeem your jade, come to the Tenth Prince's Mansion 　　Street in Baoda Ward, the capital." He 　　then told his attendant, "Leave him five hundred taels of silver. Wu San, give him your travel document; he 　　might need it." 　　An attendant took a packet of silver from his horse's bundle and placed it on the ground. The middle-aged man with the sword took 　　a letter from his robes, flicked it with his finger, and it flew towards Ding Shou like a blade. Ding Shou 　　caught it between two fingers. The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow and nodded approvingly. Then, the group mounted their horses and galloped 　　away, raising a cloud of dust. 　　Ding Shou had no time to look; his eyes were fixed on the letter in his hand, bearing the two characters "Imperial Decree." A 　　vermilion seal with gold lettering read, "Imperial Envoy, Governor-General of the Eastern Depot, Official Eunuch," fourteen characters as red as blood. 　　Chapter Nine: Wealth Comes Forcefully . 　　The midday sun of winter should have been warm, but Zhang Fang felt an empty, uncomfortable emptiness. From 　　last night until now, he had only drunk a bowl of thin porridge, barely enough to reflect his image. Finally, unable to endure it any longer 　　, he made this decision. Turning back to his wife and daughter following behind him, he shouted, "Hurry up and follow! Haven't you eaten?" 　　The mother and daughter, indeed having eaten nothing, glanced at him timidly and followed with their heads down. 　　Zhang Fang led them to a large mansion in the west of Datong City. A large bronze plaque hung on the gate.

Above the door, a plaque bore four large, dark characters: "Wealthy Gambling House."
Four burly men stood on either side of the entrance, their shirts open, revealing thick, dark chest hair. Upon seeing Zhang Fang, one of the men
laughed, "What's up, Old Zhang? Here to try your luck again? The debts from a few days ago haven't been settled yet. This isn't a charity
; you know the rules about not paying debts."
Zhang Fang smiled obsequiously, "Look at what you're saying, Master Li
. Do you think I'm that kind of person? Please invite Master Zhong out; I have something to discuss with him."
"Who's looking for me?" As the voice spoke, a man who looked like a manager came out.
"Oh, Master Zhong, you've struck it rich!" Zhang Fang jogged forward a couple of steps, bowing and smiling obsequiously.
The man glanced at Zhang Fang. "Hmm, it's Old Zhang. Did you bring the money you owed?"
Zhang Fang pointed to the mother and daughter behind him. "Master Zhong, what do you think these two are worth?"
The man looked in the direction Zhang Fang was pointing. The woman was
about thirty years old and quite attractive. The girl was about thirteen or fourteen, with delicate features, dressed in coarse cloth, timidly tugging at her mother's clothes. He was
somewhat satisfied at that moment, but said aloud, "The old one is old, the young one is young, what are they worth? Do you expect me to serve them
both?"
Zhang Fang panicked upon hearing this. "Master Zhong, please have mercy and help me out."
"Twenty taels of silver," the accountant said, pursing his lips.
"Twenty taels? Master Zhong, I only owe you twenty taels. Please add a little more. My wife is
a good cook, and that girl is quite clever at serving tea and water."
"Twenty-five taels, fixed price. Think carefully. Even a twenty-year-old girl with all the skills in the kitchen would only cost twenty
taels. I've been practicing Buddhism lately and my heart is kind. Don't push your luck."
Zhang Fang hesitated for a moment, gritting his teeth to agree, when suddenly a voice interrupted, "Fifty taels, I'll take it.
"
Both were startled and looked over. A young man in a blue robe, holding a folding fan, was smiling at them
. It was Ding Shou.
The manager cupped his hands and said, "Sir, business is about first come, first served. What do you mean by cutting in like this
?"
"Yes, business is about the highest bidder wins. This brother didn't say anything definitive, so why can't I
raise the price?" Ding Shou said.
"Young master, you, you just said fifty taels, is that...is it true?" Zhang Fang stammered
.
"Of course it's true, let's write it down."
"Wait, I'll offer sixty taels," the accountant said from the side.
"Oh," Ding Shou smiled, "one hundred taels."
"One hundred and twenty taels," the accountant said through gritted teeth.
"Three hundred taels." Ding Shou was still smiling, a nonchalant smile, but his heart was bleeding. "You bastard, if you
dare raise the price again, I'll slap you to death."
The manager indeed dared not raise the price any further. Although the counter could still use more silver, he thought that
anyone who could afford three hundred taels to buy a maid and an old woman must be from an official or wealthy family. The gang leader ran the gambling den to
amass wealth for the gang, not to make enemies of the gang leader. Thinking about his own fate if he angered the gang leader sent chills down his spine.
At this moment, Zhang Fang didn't say a word, just stared wide-eyed at Ding Shou, stunned,
terrified, and ecstatic. Three hundred taels! These two worthless women were worth three hundred taels! Even if he married another young
virgin, had a child, and raised her to that age, it wouldn't cost him that much money.
Only after Ding Shou snapped him out of his daze did he excitedly sign the receipt, take the money, and hand the mother and daughter over
to Ding Shou before rushing into the gambling den. Ding Shou watched his retreating figure with a cold laugh; this kind of gambling addict
wouldn't turn back until he'd risk his life.
Looking at the mother and daughter, he asked, "What are your names?"
The woman bowed her head and said, "This servant is Zhang Wu Shi..."
"Hmm—" Ding Shou snorted disapprovingly.
The woman, terrified, immediately knelt down. "This servant was wrong! This servant's surname is Wu, and my name is Meilian
. My daughter's name is Rui'er."
Seeing her mother kneeling on the ground, the girl, bewildered, also knelt down, tears welling in her eyes.
"Alright, alright, get up. Just remember you are now mine, and don't
think about your husbands' families anymore." Ding Shou waved for them to get up.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you?" Ding Shou asked, looking at their weak appearance.
"Yes," Wu Meilian replied, bowing her head.
Ding Shou led the two to a tavern across the street, ordered food and drinks, and asked them how they had ended up being sold to pay off debts . 　　Upon hearing this, Wu Meilian burst into tears, saying that her family originally ran a tofu shop, grinding and selling their own tofu, and they made a decent
living. 　　However, a few months ago, her husband was taken to a gambling den and became addicted. 　　In just a few months, they lost all their savings and the shop, and even owed money to the shopkeeper. This morning, he told her 　　and her daughter that he would use them to pay off the debts. If it weren't for meeting you, young master, they didn't know what their situation would be now. 　　Ding Shou listened without speaking, watching the endless stream of people in front of the gambling den, and chuckled, "You all wait here. 　　Order whatever you want to eat. I'll be right back." With that, he left his seat. 　　Entering the Fugui Gambling Den, he found it bustling with noise 　　. Dozens of tables were occupied, some playing dominoes, others dice, and still others mahjong. Ding Shou easily found Zhang Fang, as his table was the most crowded and his bets were the most blatant. 　　The original three hundred taels had now ballooned to five or six hundred taels, piled up in front of Zhang Fang, surrounded 　　by a crowd betting. He couldn't be happier. It seemed he still had good fortune; it was those two 　　jinxes who had ruined his luck, always losing at gambling. Now that they had passed those troubles on to that young master, his luck had turned around 　　. He wondered if that young master's fortune could withstand such misfortune. Zhang Fang suddenly felt a surge of 　　kindness in his heart, remembering to care for others. After all, they had been so generous in taking on his troubles; he should at least offer 　　some comfort. 　　"Everyone, follow me! Come and place your bets, you can win gold ingots!" Simple-minded people always find a way to ease their 　　troubles. At least Zhang Fang was free of worries immediately. "Old Zhong, what's wrong? Open it quickly!" 　　The gambler was none other than the manager, Master Zhong, who was shaking the dice cup with a smile on his lips, 　　not at all annoyed by Zhang Fang's smug look.

The dice cup landed, and Zhang Fang placed his 100 taels on "Big." The surrounding crowd followed suit,
eager to try their luck.
"Place your bets! Open! Two, three, four, nine! Small!" Zhong Ye shouted.
A chorus of boos erupted, and Zhang Fang's face changed.
Zhong Ye picked up the dice cup and shook it again. Zhang Fang held out his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet, and tilted his ears as if listening intently
.
Zhong Ye, shaking the cup, watched Zhang Fang's expression. "Damn it, what can you possibly hear with those pig-hair-stuffed ears
?" he cursed inwardly.
Ding Shou listened intently, clearly sensing the dice changing within the cup. As the cup landed,
the numbers appeared clearly in his mind: "Four, one, one, six! Small!"
Zhang Fang placed his 100 taels on "Small." The moment Zhong Ye opened the cup, Ding Shou felt the dice
jump slightly. "Four, five, six! Fifteen! Big!"
Ding Shou laughed; the dealer was cheating.
More and more people booed. Zhang Fang was sweating, and someone patted him on the shoulder. He turned around and
saw it was the young man in the blue robe from before.
"Brother, know when to stop," Ding Shou said, unusually kindly.
Zhang Fang looked at the three hundred taels of silver in front of him, gritted his teeth, and said, "One more time." He bet all three hundred taels
on "Big," then thought for a moment and bet the remaining few dozen taels on "Small." Big wins, small
loses—he really listened to the advice.
Ding Shou shook his head; the outcome was inevitable.
"Open, a triple! The banker wins!"
"Thump!" Zhang Fang collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth.
"Throw him out, don't make a mess of the place," Zhong Ye shouted disgustedly.
Several bodyguards responded and dragged Zhang Fang out.
"Damn it, bet on Big and it's Small, bet on Small and it's Big, and it's a triple! Today is really
weird!" a hoarse voice shouted.
Ding Shou turned his head and saw a bearded soldier with a sword at his waist, cursing wildly. The soldier's attire reminded him of
an old friend from Xuanfu. He approached him and asked, "Sir, have you lost a lot?" "
This month's pay was reduced by half. I was hoping to pool some money from my brothers to win more, but now I only have less than
an ounce left," the soldier said, frowning.
"Money is just an external thing; you can't take it with you when you're born, and you can't take it with you when you die. Why bother with it?"
The man glanced at Ding Shou. "You make it sound so easy. The imperial court's compensation is slow to arrive, and the brothers are hoping to
use this money to raise some resettlement funds for their fallen comrades. Forget it, you well-fed man don't know the hunger of the starving. Get lost , you're just
bothering me."
"Oh," Ding Shou felt a surge of admiration. Datong Town was one of the nine border garrisons, a strategically important location. The Tartars
frequently raided south, and many soldiers had died in battle. These soldiers were actually thinking of using their own pay to raise money to settle the
families of their fallen comrades; it was truly commendable.
"Brother, do you trust me?" Ding Shou asked sincerely.
"Trust you for what?" The man looked at Ding Shou suspiciously.
"Bet with me."
The man stared intently at Ding Shou for a moment, then gritted his teeth, "Fine, I, Li Cong, will play along. If I lose everything,
I'll rob someone."
It was still Master Zhong's table, but the person opposite him had changed to Ding Shou.
"Young master, please place your bet." Master Zhong smiled at Ding Shou, not wanting to offend him openly, but
losing everything at the gambling table was no one's fault but his own.
Ding Shou casually placed a hundred-tael silver note on the small plate, and Li Cong also placed his own loose silver on the small plate.
Master Zhong smiled, it seemed he could avoid the trouble of cheating. He raised his hand and opened the dice cup, "One, one, two, small, how is this
possible?"
Ghost Hand Zhong Si had been in the gambling world for over twenty years and had never doubted his own methods.
He knew the number of dice he had rolled when the dice cup hit the ground, but, but how could four four five become one, one, two? Staring at the dice in astonishment,
Zhong Si did not notice Ding Shou's hand on the gambling table.
In the next round, Ding Shou bet all of his winnings of one hundred taels, and it was still "small." When Zhong Si opened the dice cup
, he gently lifted a small crack, clearly seeing the numbers four, five, and six, before fully uncovering the cup. The crowd
erupted in cheers. Zhong Si rubbed his eyes, and it was one, one, two again—small again…
************
Du San Kui was enjoying tea in the backyard. He had been in a good mood lately. Since taking over the Fu Gui Gambling House, the branches across the country had been making
a fortune, and the gang leader trusted him more and more. His status in the gang had risen accordingly. Before the gang leader went into seclusion, he had even said that
he would give him some pointers on his skills after he came out. But good moods are always easily ruined. A subordinate rushed to report, "One
table has gotten eleven hands of 'small' in a row."
"That's so strange. Is that kid Zhong Si fishing again?" Du San Kui said dismissively.
"That table belongs to Master Zhong," the subordinate said, swallowing hard.
"I told you, don't make a fuss." Du San Kui didn't want to ruin his mood and waved him away.
But the kid just wouldn't listen.
"What? Lost two hundred thousand taels? What's Zhong Si doing? Has he gone mad?"
"That kid had a hundred taels as his stake, and every time he won, he'd bet it all back. After eleven rounds, he'd lost
two hundred thousand taels, and that doesn't even include the people betting alongside him." The subordinate replied timidly.
At this moment, Zhong Si was covered in cold sweat
. He looked at the young man in front of him, still smiling, but that smile was like that of a wicked ghost from the underworld, sinister and vicious. "Open it, Master Zhong," Ding Shou said.
"Yeah, open it."
"Hurry up and open it, I want to continue." "
What are you dawdling for? Can't you afford to lose?" The people betting around him cheered.
Zhong Si's hand trembled as he pressed the dice cup, unable to open it.
At this moment, two rows of thugs swarmed in. Seeing the situation was bad, everyone shut their mouths. Du San Kui stepped forward and said, "
Gentlemen, this gambling den has something to do today and will be closing early. Those who want to make money should come early tomorrow. I apologize."
Everyone in the den lowered their heads and slunk out, except for the soldier Li Cong, who was still standing there. Ding Shou asked
, "Brother Li, you've already won money, why don't you leave?"
"Why don't you leave?" Li Cong asked, scratching his head.
"I'm afraid they won't let me leave, and we might even have to fight," Ding Shou laughed.
"Then I definitely can't leave. We win together, we fight together, we share the benefits, and we'll cover for each other in trouble
. I, Old Li, wouldn't do something so shameless."
Though the words were crude, they warmed Ding Shou's heart. "Alright, we'll fight together. I'll consider you my friend
."
Du San Kui approached. "I am Du San Kui, the owner of this gambling den. What's our relationship, friend? Show me your hand."
"Ding Shou, a nobody, not worth mentioning. What brings you here, Manager Du?" Ding Shou asked.
"Friend Ding, you've come to disrupt my place. Who instructed you?" Du San Kui asked.
"Where did you get that idea? In a gambling den, there are no fathers or sons. Winning is joyful, losing is bitter. Everyone relies on their own abilities. Does this '
Wealthy Gambling Den' only allow losses and not wins?" Ding Shou retorted.
"Sharp tongue, I'm sure you'll tell the truth later." Du San Kui gestured for his men to step forward.
"Who dares!" Li Cong drew his knife.
The thugs paid no heed to such low-ranking soldiers and swarmed forward. Li Cong,
a veteran of countless battles, possessed practical, unpretentious skills. With slashes and hacks, he had already taken several thugs
to the ground.
Du Sankui frowned and reached out to grab Li Cong. Ding Shou blocked with his folding fan. Du Sankui tried to grab
Ding Shou's wrist, but Ding Shou neither dodged nor flinched, his little finger slightly raised. Du Sankui's hand moved forward again, as if striking his own pulse point
, forcing him to retreat.
Du Sankui stared at Ding Shou for a moment, then lunged forward, his hands twisting and turning, using hooks and locks to grab and seize, all
aimed at Ding Shou's joints and pressure points.
Ding Shou stood motionless, casually deflecting the attacks with his free hand, which wasn't holding a fan. After seven or eight moves
, he chuckled, "So it's Manager Du from a branch of Shaolin. Instead of practicing Buddhism, you've started a gambling den
."
Du San Kui was shocked. He was a disciple of the Weituo sect, a branch of Shaolin, and knew his current profession didn't bring
honor to the sect. He rarely fought, and even today, his Six Harmonies Fist was mixed with Monkey Fist. He hadn't expected
his skills to be exposed in less than ten moves. This kid must be from a prestigious school.
Du San Kui felt inferior, realizing that
even the Left Protector of the Gang might not be able to defeat him so easily. He stepped out of the circle, stopped his men, and said, "Young master, you have impressive skills
. Please have some tea in the back courtyard. I wish to be your friend."
"I would be honored," Ding Shou said, cupping his hands in greeting.
He then led Li Cong into the backyard. Du Sankui had a feast prepared, and during the meal, he kept flattering Ding Shou
, trying to get information about his master's lineage. However, Ding Shou knew that his master's lineage was extremely powerful,
causing trouble not only among martial artists but also with the imperial court, so he remained tight-lipped. He only chatted with Li Cong, who rarely had such a good meal. He drank every drop of wine and
ate heartily, praising Brother Ding as a true friend.
Seeing that he couldn't get any information out of him, Du Sankui said, "Young Master Ding, with such skills, why not make a name for yourself in the martial world
? Would you be interested in joining our gang?"
"May I ask what your gang is called?" Ding Shou seemed somewhat interested.
"Our gang is called the 'Tianyou Gang,' and I, Du, am honored to be the head of the You Hall," Du Sankui said proudly.
Ding Shou recalled the conversation he'd overheard at the inn with Shang Liu and the others. "Is your gang leader perhaps Sima Xiao?"
"Indeed, our gang leader is Sima Xiao, known as 'Young Master Xiao
. '
I see you've heard of him too." "Heaven and earth conceal the netherworld, and those in green robes fill the martial world. I have indeed heard of him, but I've been away from home for a long time and urgently need to return. If fate allows, I will certainly pay my respects
to Gang Leader Sima in the future." Ding Shou declined with a smile.
"Very well, Gang Leader went into seclusion last month and will not emerge for some time. I, Du, will introduce you in the future
." Seeing that there was no hope of recruiting him today, Du San Kui did not press the matter further.
After the banquet, Du Sankui exchanged the silver the two men had won for silver notes and gave them to them. He also gave
Ding Shou an additional 20,000 taels as travel expenses for his return home. As Ding Shou left, he handed the 20,000 taels to Li Cong, saying, "Nine out of ten gambles are rigged. Brothers'
intentions are good. You can give this silver to your brother as business capital. Don't ever set foot in a gambling den again
."
Li Cong was very grateful and swore he would never enter a gambling den again. From now on, the lives of him and his brothers would belong to Ding Shou
; they would go through fire and water without flinching.
After saying goodbye to Li Cong, they returned to the tavern. Mei Lian and her daughter were overjoyed to see him. Seeing their embarrassed appearance and glancing
at the innkeeper standing by, they remembered they had forgotten to pay their bill. The innkeeper probably thought the two men were freeloaders
. He couldn't help but laugh and annoy, tossing them ten taels of silver and leading them to an inn to stay.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
The wind whistled outside, and the moon rose above the willow branches.
The room was filled with the warmth of spring, a harmonious blend of warmth and intimacy.
Upon entering the guest room, Ding Shou casually sat down on the couch, looking at the uneasy mother and daughter, and said, "Now you
are both mine, you should know how to serve your master, right?"
Rui'er stood timidly behind her mother. Meilian, understanding his meaning, although she had long anticipated being a slave
and being touched by her master, still felt somewhat ashamed in front of her daughter. Having once run a shop in public
, she hesitated briefly before making her decision. The young master before her was generous; if she could gain his favor, her daughter would have
a good future. So she nodded in agreement.
She led her daughter forward to undress Ding Shou, loosening his belt. His erect member sprang out, nearly
hitting Meilian's face. Rui'er covered her mouth, curiously looking at the strange-looking thing. Meilian was also
astonished; the young master was young, yet his member was quite large, easily surpassing her husband's by more than two.
Ignoring everything else, Ding Shou's desires had intensified since he began practicing the Heavenly Demon Strategy. Unable to suppress them, he pressed Mei
Lian's head against his crotch with one hand and pulled Rui'er close to kiss him with the other. Rui'er shyly tried to avoid
him, but Mei Lian advised, "Rui'er, be good. It's rare for a young master to be so kind as to take us in. You should repay his kindness."
Rui'er obeyed. Mei Lian leaned down and took the glans into her mouth, sucking hard
. Her cherry lips couldn't completely envelop the glans, so she could only rub the edges of it.
After all, she was a respectable woman, and her oral skills were inferior to even San Niang's, let alone Rui Zhu's, because her teeth always made the
glans hurt a little. Ding Shou lifted her coarse cloth clothes with one hand, then reached through her bodice to her chest, touching
her full breasts and playing with her nipples with his fingers.
Although her skin wasn't delicate, it was quite firm, perhaps due to her frequent labor, and felt even more...
It was exhilarating. Ding Shou started by gently kneading, but as the pleasure in her lower body increased, he pinched harder.
However, she endured it without making a sound, still diligently sucking on his penis.
Ding Shou held Rui'er's fragrant tongue in his mouth, and his hand moved down from her waistband to Mei Lian's buttocks. She lifted her body slightly to make
it easier for Ding Shou to touch her. Ding Shou pressed his fingers on her anus a few times, and then followed the
cleft of her buttocks to her vulva. Her labia were still dry, so he inserted his middle finger a little further and finally felt a little moisture. He pressed
on her clitoris, and the internal energy penetrated her body. Mei Lian, still sucking on his penis, let out a "mmm" moan from her nose,
her body trembled a few times, and she climaxed. Ding Shou felt that several of his fingers were wet.
Rui'er trembled at the sight of her mother. Ding Shou released her tongue, untied her coarse cloth clothes
, revealing the girl's delicate body. Her breasts were small, barely a handful, her lower abdomen was firm, her skin smooth, her pubic area
hairless, and her legs were separated by a thin, tightly closed slit.
"How old are you?" Ding Shou asked, teasing her two nipples.
"Fourteen," Rui'er whimpered.
At this moment, Meilian finally managed to put the glans in her mouth, her two jade hands moving back and forth on the shaft. Seeing this, she spat
out the huge thing and said, "This girl is born with a beautiful face. If she is lucky enough to bear a son or daughter for you, it will be her
blessing."
Ding Shou understood her meaning. "If that's the case, I will give her a title."
Meilian was overjoyed and pulled Rui'er to kneel down and kowtow. Ding Shou simply thrust his penis between their faces.
Meilian gave up the glans and stuck out her tongue to lick the shaft. Rui'er didn't know how to do it either. She just gently
nibbled at the purplish-red glans with her teeth and swept her tongue back and forth.
Ding Shou felt incredibly comfortable. He reached out and pulled Mei Lian up, pulled off her cloth pants, and pushed her to kneel on
the bed. He played with her hairy genitals for a while, then thrust his hips forward, penetrating her to the deepest point. Mei Lian
let out a muffled groan, her head pushed to the far end of the bed. Before she could even adjust to his large member, she was
taken to the brink of ecstasy by a series of violent thrusts.
Rui'er stood at the head of the bed, covering her mouth, watching the young master riding on her mother and thrusting incessantly.
She had never seen her mother's face show such ecstasy and satisfaction. As if afraid to make a sound, she bit the quilt tightly with her teeth, leaving only
"mmm" sounds from her nose. After a while, she heard a "squirting" sound. Looking in the direction of the sound, she saw the young master's thick penis
moving in and out of her mother's vagina, bringing out a lot of juice. Suddenly, she heard her mother let out a long "oh" and
went limp. The young master pulled out his huge penis and looked at her.
Ding Shou had just begun his trial of the Heavenly Essence Demonic Path when Mei Lian's yin gate was breached. The small amount of yin energy was only a minor
boost to his power, but if his yang energy wasn't restored, it would likely completely damage his body. Seeing that Mei Lian was no longer able to withstand the assault, he turned and picked up Rui'er
, placing her on the table. Ignoring her shyness, he pressed his penis against her hairless, tender opening, grinding it against her skin
before gently thrusting in. He encountered resistance after only a short distance, and the pressure of her virgin honeyed opening made Ding Shou feel an unbearable pleasure. With a powerful thrust,
"Ah—" Rui'er let out a scream, tears streaming down her face.
"It's alright, it won't hurt in a while, it'll feel quite comfortable." Ding Shou gently
stroked Rui'er's vulva with both hands, his penis slowly moving in and out. Wisps of true energy escaped from his urethra, stimulating the depths of Rui'er's opening. Ding Shou
looked down and saw that when he pulled out, the bright red flesh inside Rui'er's vagina would turn outwards, with blood flowing out.
Ding Shou thrust more slowly, wisps of Heavenly Demon True Qi seeping from his penis. The heat stimulated Rui'er
's vagina, causing a tingling sensation. Her virginity's shyness vanished, and she
began to sway her hips rapidly, her buttocks moving in rhythm. Her vagina was very tight; Ding Shou felt the blood in his penis being
compressed at the base as it entered, gathering at the glans as he pulled out. He lovingly stroked her nipples
, increasing the speed of his thrusts, feeling... As the orifice convulsed, Ding
Shou circulated the Heavenly Essence Demonic Path, causing Rui'er to let out a mournful cry. Her virgin yin essence had been absorbed into Ding Shou's dantian. He then relaxed his mind and thrust vigorously. During Rui'er's third orgasm, a torrent of
hot semen, along with his refined yang essence, shot into Rui'er's body. After a few thrusts, he used his power to lock it in place, turned around
, and turned Mei Lian on the bed around as well. He thrust into her body, shooting the remaining hot semen into her to repair the damage caused by the breached yin gate. Then
he embraced Rui'er as well, holding her on both sides, and they slept together under the same quilt.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/146093.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=146093&aspx=1

Previous Page : 【Under the Great Tomorrow】(72)

Next Page : Wife's Desire: A Labyrinth of Desire - Chapter Sixteen: Sexual Encounters

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

【Under the Great Tomorrow】(Chapter 7-9)

comment Open a new window to view comments