Taking a Disciple

"Heh, not bad. Who are you, lurking around like that?" Yang Xuan said smugly, swinging his battle axe a few times.

The Taoist was startled. "Friend, I'm just a Taoist who herds corpses. I'm from the Maoshan Sect, and I mean you no harm. I have some experience with herding corpses. I saw the overwhelming corpse energy from afar. Our Maoshan Sect's teachings are about opposing evil and fighting for life. I had to come and see."

As it was starting to get dark, the Taoist's appearance was unclear. Now, he could finally make out the general features. It turned out to be the Four-Eyed Taoist.

"Taoist, what should I call you?"

"This poor Taoist is Four Eyes. May I know your esteemed surname?"

"Just call me Yang Xuan. By the way, where are you taking these corpses this time?" Knowing it was Four Eyes, Yang Xuan's tone softened a bit.

"I'm heading to Shaanxi this time, but I need to stop by my senior brother's place in Ren Family Town for a few days."

"Ren Family Town? Can you take me with you? I'm going to Ren Family Town too. I just got lost and ran into this zombie," Yang Xuan said excitedly.

"Then let's travel together. I'm going there anyway. However, our pace is quite slow, so don't complain if it's too slow."

And so, the two of them, along with a team of zombies, set off towards Ren Family Town.

Ahhh, they stretched lazily. They had finally arrived in town.

"Four Eyes, I need to handle some things in town first. I'll come find you tomorrow. You've been asking why I came to Ren Family Town, right? I'm here to become Uncle Nine's disciple."

Four Eyes looked dumbfounded. Such a powerful person needs to find his senior brother to become a disciple? He thought about it and decided he had to tell his senior brother. After all, Yang Xuan was too formidable, and he couldn't quite figure him out.

This town isn't that small. It even has a Western restaurant. Lively places always have pawn shops. "Boss, I want to pawn this watch and this gold bar, no returns."

With the money, he rented a room and, of course, went to eat a big meal. Yang Xuan was starving, his stomach pressed against his back. Damn it, he wondered when his abilities would become strong enough to solve the problem of eating. At this rate, he might need to eat a whole pig a day.

This dish is good, this one isn't, too spicy. This one is too salty. This soup is quite nice. He ordered a total of 15 dishes. You have to know that people in this era were quite honest; the portions were generous. Unlike in the main world, where the plates were big, but the portions, heh, were like cat food.

"Brother Bing, look at that guy. He's dressed strangely and eats like a monster," a punk said to his buddy sitting next to him.

"He eats so much, let him eat himself to death. He looks quite wealthy. Why don't we..." The two punks exchanged glances.

The two punks slowly walked over. "Friend, you've got quite a spread there," one of them said as he sat down. Without further ado, he picked up his chopsticks, ready to take a bite and fleece this fat sheep.

Yang Xuan was in a good mood. He had found Ren Family Town, knew where the mortuary was, and felt great after fighting with the zombies. Now, all he needed was to eat his fill, take a bath, and sleep.

Where did these two troublemakers come from? He was eating so well, and now this. "Get lost, you two," Yang Xuan said without looking up.

"Kid, Brother Bing eating your food is giving you face. After you finish, give us some tea money, and you won't have any trouble today," one of the thugs said.

Damn it, they're ungrateful. Yang Xuan didn't waste any more words. He slapped each of them and punched them in the stomach, then dragged the two lifeless dogs out.

They were asking for it. "Boss, the bill."

After that, things were simple: accommodation, buying clothes, buying gifts, shopping, shopping, shopping.

The next day.

After finishing his last bite of breakfast, he headed towards the mortuary.

Knock, knock, knock... Is anyone there?

A groggy guy opened the door. Hmm, a funny watermelon-shaped hairstyle, prematurely aged, and ugly. It must be Wen Cai.

The groggy Wen Cai said, "Who are you looking for so early in the morning?"

"I'm here to become Uncle Nine's disciple. My name is Yang Xuan."

"Yang Xuan? You're Yang Xuan? Alright, come in quickly. My junior uncle mentioned you yesterday."

"Mentioned what about me? Didn't say anything bad, did he?" Yang Xuan followed Wen Cai inside.

As they walked into the main hall, he saw Wen Cai, Four Eyes, and Uncle Nine. It felt so nostalgic. When he watched zombie movies before, he used to be scared whenever zombies appeared, but then Uncle Nine would show up, and he wouldn't be afraid anymore. He was a bit stubborn and old-fashioned, but righteous. Yang Xuan felt a subtle resemblance to his master, Li Shuwen. He hadn't seen his master in a long time. Fortunately, time was under his control.

"You are Yang Xuan?" Uncle Nine sized up Yang Xuan.

He looked at an old man with white hair, his face stern as he questioned him.

"Yes, I am Yang Xuan. I wish to become Uncle Nine's disciple and learn Maoshan Taoist Arts," Yang Xuan said, cupping his fists.

"Actually, you don't need to become my disciple. If I'm not mistaken, your martial arts cultivation has already reached the Grandmaster level. A Hua Jin Grandmaster this young, I, Lin Jiu, truly haven't seen one in so many years. My junior brother mentioned you could directly confront a hopping corpse. It seems you are exceptionally gifted. With your talent and martial arts, reaching the peak of martial arts wouldn't be any worse than Taoist arts. Why bother learning our Maoshan Taoist Arts?" Uncle Nine's words left Yang Xuan stunned. Indeed, my Telekinesis, physical strength, Guo Shu realm, and internal energy cultivation – none of them have been developed to their peak. Am I on the wrong path? In reality, I'm already invincible. While I can't be fearless against missiles and nuclear bombs, ordinary firearms no longer pose a threat. In the movie worlds I've traveled to, being careful means no danger, and it's easy to become invincible. So why am I working so hard?

"Hahahaha, why worry about so much? I'll do whatever I want. Isn't that what I aimed for when I first got the system? To achieve naturalness and great freedom. I like watching movies, so I make the endings fit my preferences and experience the plots myself. Who cares about power? As long as I like it!" Yang Xuan, having figured it out, felt his long-stagnant realm begin to loosen.

"Uncle Nine, I, Yang Xuan, practice martial arts and Taoist arts to fulfill my desires and to see what the peak of martial arts looks like. Any system can help me understand others. I hope Uncle Nine will grant my wish," Yang Xuan said firmly.

"Not bad, your talent is excellent, but your state of mind is slightly lacking. However, to have solidified your path in such a short time is truly commendable," Uncle Nine said with satisfaction.

"Four Eyes, be my witness. I've decided to take Yang Xuan as my disciple," Uncle Nine said happily.

"Senior brother, you're truly lucky. A disciple this good is truly impossible to find, even with a lantern," Four Eyes said enviously.

The Four-Eyed Taoist was now filled with regret. If he had known Yang Xuan wanted to learn Maoshan Arts, he could have taken him as a disciple. He knew them too. Ah, forget it. If I can't get the master, getting an uncle isn't bad either. He cast a slightly lewd glance at Yang Xuan.

Yang Xuan felt like someone was looking at him, and it wasn't a good feeling. He turned around and saw Four Eyes staring intently at him with a lewd gaze. Yang Xuan glared fiercely at Four Eyes. The latter was startled.

It took Yang Xuan a full half-day to get through the tedious process.

Becoming a disciple of Maoshan was truly complicated. Yang Xuan felt like a puppet; he did whatever his master instructed.

Sigh, who came up with these rules? It feels more tiring than fighting ten zombies.

"A-Xuan is now a disciple of Maoshan. Opposing evil and fighting for life."