Hated by Man and God, Wept by Ghosts and Goblins

Of course, <Western Chu> also has its shortcomings. The <Southern Border> is full of crude and uncivilized people who refuse to be educated or pay homage to the superior states. It harbors many <Demonic Beings>..."

<Lu Ming>'s voice grew softer. It wasn't because he was drunk, but because <Dezhou> and the <Southern Border> were adjacent. If he spoke too loudly, the <Demonic Beings> or the uncivilized folk might hear him.

He couldn't afford to offend either of these groups.

The <Southern Border> wasn't a single country, but a region south of <Western Chu>. It was a land of scattered tribes with diverse beliefs. Occasionally, powerful tribes would establish kingdoms, but their reigns were always short-lived due to complex reasons that couldn't be explained in a few words <Chu>.

<Western Chu> had once attempted to conquer the <Southern Border> and bring it under its rule. However, the cost of strategic planning was too high; the drawbacks outweighed the benefits. It was better not to occupy it than to occupy it. So, they let it grow wild.

Although they didn't occupy it, <Western Chu> never gave up its control over the <Southern Border>. Under the guise of 'building roads for trade and benefiting the local folks,' they infiltrated the region, always managing to profit from the chaos.

If there was no chaos, they created it!

Thus, <Western Chu> called the <Southern Border> barbarians, and the <Southern Border> called <Western Chu> bandits. That's how the national situation was established.

<Lu Ming> didn't want to talk much about the <Southern Border>. He didn't even mention the <Demonic Beings> within it. After another drink, he changed the subject to the top-tier powers within <Western Chu>.

"My <Western Chu> <Shendu> is the ancestral land of the Zhou Dynasty, with a long-lasting fortune that <Northern Qi> and <Southern Jin> cannot compare to. The two great <Noble Families>, the <Li Nan Wu Clan> and the <Shao Xian Chen Clan>, also adhere to the established laws and get along harmoniously with the royal family..."

As he spoke, <Western Chu>, which could previously unify the world, began to falter. "Those famous mountain sects and great schools, they say the court is the court, and the martial world is the martial world. The court doesn't interfere in the affairs of the martial world, and the martial world doesn't concern itself with court politics. They spout principles but are full of business. If it weren't for their obstruction, the world would have been conquered by our <Western Chu> long ago."

He muttered quietly about a few of the most unruly top-tier powers.

Unrivaled Palace, Sword Heart Chamber, Heavenly Sword Pavilion, Heavenly Saber Sect, Heavenly Martial Sect...

Sword Heart Chamber practiced both Buddhist and Taoist disciplines, with a majority of female disciples. Unrivaled Palace consisted entirely of female disciples. If you didn't provoke them, they would quietly be cultured beautiful women. But if you did, you wouldn't find a moment's peace anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, their tendency to protect their own was rampant. If you beat the younger ones, the older ones would appear. Even demons would give them a wide berth.

"Heavenly Sword, Heavenly Saber, and Heavenly Martial are of the same origin, having split from the former top sect in the world, 'Heavenly Sect'. Speaking of the Heavenly Sect, we must mention its founder, Yan Xuanhe, who was the greatest in the world, undefeated in his time. What divine power it was to cleave the heavens with a single sword."

"It is said that the Heavenly Sect at that time occupied several provinces. Although it was a <Sect Gate>, it was no different from a nation..."

<Lu Ming> sighed. "Unfortunately, their successors were not up to par and insisted on internal strife to determine superiority. The Heavenly Sect only lasted for eight thousand years before splitting into three, no longer holding the title of the greatest in the world."

Lacking the ability to be the greatest, they adopted the temperament of the greatest. Heavenly Sword became arrogant, Heavenly Saber became overbearing, and Heavenly Martial became haughty. Though from the same origin, they couldn't stand each other. Every few years, they would hold martial arts competitions, causing much trouble for <Western Chu>.

They were the cause of trouble nine out of ten times, hated by all, and lamented by ghosts and gods.

It could be said that if these three families behaved themselves, <Western Chu> would be half as stable.

"<Forget Sword Manor> and <White Cloud Manor> are also not peaceful. One claims to forget their sword and not contend, while the other calls itself a carefree cloud-dwelling crane. These two businesses have shops all over the world, accumulating immeasurable wealth."

If they dare to amass wealth today, I don't know what they'll dare to do tomorrow!

<Lu Ming> didn't say this last sentence, but his wide eyes conveyed his indignation. He snorted, "These two businesses have many shops. I've seen many people suffer losses because of them. You will surely come into contact with them in the future, so keep your eyes sharp and don't get swindled."

"<Qingxu Sect> is a good Taoist temple. Everyone inside is a true cultivator, worshipping <Qingxu Daode True Lord>. Aside from subduing demons and eliminating evil, there are hardly any disciples who venture out..."

<Xiang Yuan> was listening intently when he suddenly realized something was wrong. He knew the title '<Qingxu Daode True Lord>'. It was a character from the divine and demonic novel '<Investiture of the Gods>', one of the twelve celestial beings of the <Chan Sect>, possessing many magical treasures, the most famous being the <Five Fire Seven Bird Fan> and the <Heart-Piercing Nail>.

But <Qingxu Daode True Lord> was a fictional character in a novel. Even if, for the sake of argument, he were a real immortal, where would a Taoist lineage come from?

Perhaps there really was such an immortal, and they just happened to have the same name.

<Xiang Yuan> couldn't understand for a moment and found a reason to justify it, continuing to listen to <Lu Ming>'s account of the top-tier powers in <Western Chu>.

"Finally, there is the <Great Awakening Temple>, where I, your instructor, apprenticed. Speaking of the <Great Awakening Temple>, it is truly extraordinary, inheriting the <Thirty-Six Peerless Skills>. Each of these is a top-tier martial art in the world. If cultivated to the peak, they are peerless divine skills comparable to <Buddha on Land>!"

<Lu Ming> was from the <Great Awakening Temple>. Although he was a lay disciple, he thought of his master's kindness day and night. Therefore, whenever he mentioned the <Great Awakening Temple>, he never hesitated to praise it.

In his words, the <Great Awakening Temple> was the head of the four great Buddhist families, far surpassing <Shaolin Temple>, <Yankong Temple>, and <Baojing Temple>.

With a couple more drinks, he claimed that even the arrogant founder of the Heavenly Sect, Yan Xuanhe, would become incredibly clear-headed upon meeting the abbot.

<Shaolin Temple>?

Did this world also have a <Shaolin Temple>?

Right, Shaolin is everywhere in all the heavens and myriad worlds. Where there are monks, there is <Shaolin Temple>. It's not strange.

<Xiang Yuan> grumbled inwardly and slowly raised his hand, wanting to ask if the local <Shaolin Temple> also had the <Seventy-Two Peerless Skills>.

At this moment, the young man in front of him raised his hand again, successfully blocking him once more.

"Instructor, I heard that Shaolin has the <Seventy-Two Peerless Skills>, while <Great Awakening Temple> only has thirty-six. Isn't that half? Will they be unable to fight?"

Good kid, it's you again!

Good question, but don't ask it next time.

<Xiang Yuan> rolled his eyes and put his hand down. It was good to have someone step up as a bird of prey, saving him from saying too much and making mistakes. However, being preempted twice made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Pfft!"

<Lu Ming> spat out a mouthful of saliva, startling the young men who quickly dodged. He angrily said, "Who told you seventy-two is definitely better than thirty-six? How can Shaolin's seventy-two minor ultimate skills compare to <Great Awakening Temple>'s thirty-six major ultimate skills? The thirty-six Heavenly Stars come first, and the seventy-two Earthly Fiends come after. Do I need to explain such a simple principle to you?"

He then continued to curse.

Shaolin was located in <Northern Qi>. <Lu Ming> wasn't afraid of speaking loudly; he was more afraid of speaking too softly, lest the abbot of <Great Awakening Temple> not hear him.

The young man incurred <Lu Ming>'s displeasure and sat down dejectedly, not daring to mention who was more powerful again.

"You, you will have an extra hour of training today. After you finish, go find the senior brothers at the <Martial Arts School> for an assessment. If you lose, you'll have another extra hour of training!"

"Ah..."

The young man's face contorted in misery, and he slumped down weakly, as if his entire being had turned gray.

<Lu Ming>'s display of power greatly increased the <Great Awakening Temple>'s unassailable prestige in the hearts of the youths. He waved his hand and said, "I'm a bit drunk. That's all for today. You all go back and rest. After dinner, use your rankings within the <Martial Arts School> as your designation and come see me one by one."

With that, he left behind a few empty wine jars and got up to leave.

The wine was truly good wine, and he could truly drink.

After dinner, <Xiang Yuan> was the first to seek out <Lu Ming>.

He was already ranked high, with few opponents among the youths. Furthermore, all those with good potential had already been chosen, and the rest were ranked lower than him, so he was first in line.

The <Martial Arts School> was built by <Lu Ming>. Living, eating, and working were all in the backyard. He lived alone and had never mentioned parents or children.

The backyard was very spacious and cleaned daily by the disciples of the <Martial Arts School>, appearing quite neat and tidy.

As <Xiang Yuan> entered the courtyard, he saw the door was open. He raised his hand and lightly knocked on the door, respectfully calling out, "Instructor."

His voice was a little hoarse, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

"Come in."

<Lu Ming> put down the book in his hand. After <Xiang Yuan> approached, he looked him up and down and gestured for him to sit. Then he said, "<Xiang Yuan>, among these people, you study martial arts the most diligently, and your talent isn't bad either. I originally thought you would be chosen by <Six Doors>, but a serious illness caused all your hard work to go to waste."

<Six Doors> bore heavy responsibilities and was no ordinary organization. They taught superior martial arts, and with time, one could enjoy wealth and status. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a great opportunity.

<Xiang Yuan> lowered his head and remained silent, expressing his helplessness through his silence.

"When you fainted that day, I spoke a few good words for you, but it was no use."

"Thank you for your kind words, Instructor. Everyone has their own fate. I... I don't want to think about these things anymore," <Xiang Yuan> said dully.

"It's good if you don't want to think about it. I'm just afraid that if you dwell on it constantly, you might make a wrong turn."

<Lu Ming> shook his head, glanced at the open doorway, and said in a low voice, "<Xiang Yuan>, you've been learning martial arts from me for two years and have grasped the essence of my '<Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber>'. Your movements and footwork have achieved minor success. You are a gem that will eventually shine."

'<Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber>', it sounds like a commoner's martial art!

<Xiang Yuan> looked up at <Lu Ming> and said sincerely, "Instructor, let's talk about the future later. Right now, I just want to recover my health and practice my martial arts again. It's frustrating, but after being so ill, my mind has been hazy, and I can't remember many of the moves."

The <Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber> was a mature saber technique, consisting of sixty-four forms, with accompanying footwork. It required constant practice and refinement. <Xiang Yuan> had only integrated a few fragmented memories and had indeed forgotten most of it.

If it came to a real fight, any youth ranked lower than him could easily defeat him.

This was the main reason for <Xiang Yuan>'s anxiety. It was one thing to not be able to go to <Six Doors>, but it was too pathetic to go to the desolate mountains to guard graves.

He was not yet thirty, no, he was only fifteen, still a child.

"Martial arts are etched into your bones. Once learned, you'll never forget them. Even if your mind forgets, your body will remember."

<Lu Ming> was unconcerned. He took a wooden box from the bookshelf and opened it. Inside were a few thin papers. "I won't waste your time with pleasantries. I pity your situation and will teach you my true teachings. Study martial arts well, and if you achieve something in the future, <Six Doors> will naturally recruit you."

<Xiang Yuan>'s eyes widened. He looked at <Lu Ming> in disbelief. His anxious heart settled, and a warmth he couldn't help but feel arose within him.

"Why are you looking at me like that? It's not free. I'm old and have no one to rely on. I only seek to sow good karma. When you succeed in the future, don't forget today."

<Lu Ming> laughed heartily, feigning ease. "Don't delay. You only have the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep. If it takes longer, the others will surely suspect I'm privately teaching you a secret skill."

"One day, when I achieve success, I will never forget the kindness of the Instructor in teaching me!"

<Xiang Yuan> nodded heavily and quickly picked up the five thin papers, memorizing them within the time it took for an incense stick to burn.

Being young was good. Unlike his previous life, where he had exhausted himself and often forgot things.

<Lu Ming> closed the wooden box and warned, "Giving is a favor, not giving is an enmity. Favoritism breeds resentment. Remember this, do not tell anyone about this matter, or it will bring about a deadly calamity. I might be able to protect you, but it will be difficult for you."

One should not worry about scarcity but about inequality. <Xiang Yuan> understood this principle. After thanking him again, he left the backyard.

A moment later, a youth entered and gently knocked on the door.

"<Ma Jie>, you've been learning martial arts from me for two years and have grasped the essence of my '<Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber>'..."

"I know your talent. You are a late bloomer, a good prospect. You are a gem that will eventually shine!"

"I pity your situation and will teach you my true teachings..."

"Remember this, do not tell anyone about this matter..."

"Instructor~~"