Past Events

"What strange event?" Xue Qing and Situ Ping asked in unison.

Hermit Yanming continued, "When the four of us arrived at the summit with wine and food, it was early morning, just as the sun was rising. As we walked to the only large pine tree on the mountaintop, we found that someone had already occupied the spot."

"It was an old beggar with white hair and beard, his face ruddy, looking like an immortal. He was lying askew on a stone slab beneath the tree, and the rising sun shone upon him, making him appear like a celestial being," Hermit Yanming said, squinting his eyes as he spoke slowly, as if reminiscing.

"However, his clothes were tattered, clearly marking him as a beggar. We initially thought he might be an elder from the Beggar's Sect, but he wasn't carrying their typical sack. The old beggar saw us approaching and asked, 'Do you know martial arts?' We all nodded. Then he asked again, 'Do you have wine and meat?' We nodded again. He then said, 'Bring the wine and meat.' I was holding the food and drink at the time, and under some strange compulsion, I obeyed him and handed him everything. The old beggar's eyes lit up at the sight of the wine and meat, no less brilliant than the sunlight shining on him."

"The old beggar took our wine and meat and didn't stand on ceremony, devouring it all. Strangely, the four of us just watched him eat and drink until he finished everything. Then he wiped his mouth and said, 'Good wine, good meat. It has been a worthy life.' He then looked at me and said, 'You, not bad.' And to the other three, he said, 'You all, not bad either.'"

"After that, the old beggar took out a piece of hide from his robe, tore it into four pieces with his bare hands, and casually tossed a piece to each of us. After I caught my piece, I was about to unfold it when the old beggar pulled out a small booklet from his robes and threw it over. Having done this, he lay back down on the stone, closed his eyes, and ignored us. We were completely bewildered. We opened the pieces of hide we had received and examined them closely. They were exactly what you have in your hands now, but we couldn't make heads or tails of them. So, I opened the small booklet. As I read, my heart grew more alarmed and more excited. Seeing my surprised reaction, the others knew we had stumbled upon something good. After I finished reading, your Masters also read it, and that's when we realized we had found a treasure."

"According to the booklet, this piece of hide was a treasure map left by a swordsman named Qu Da three hundred years ago. The treasure was located in this jujube forest before us. Qu Da had obtained this treasure map, found the sword manual and medicinal herbs here, and then lived in seclusion, practicing his swordplay for over a decade, thus becoming a great martial arts hero. After achieving mastery in martial arts, Qu Da did not take all the sword manual and medicinal herbs with him; he left them here, hoping for a fated person in the future. The booklet also explained how to use the hide and the time to enter the treasure location. To be honest, the four of us were immediately filled with excitement and wanted to find the place and claim the treasure right away. However, upon checking the time, we learned that there was only an opportunity to enter on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month each year. Only then did we calm down."

Hermit Yanming glanced at the gradually darkening sky and continued, "To be honest, when this huge windfall fell into our laps, we were initially stunned. After we sobered up, it felt too incredible to be true. However, the old beggar was still lying on the stone, and we had a multitude of questions waiting for him. But we soon discovered that the old beggar wasn't asleep; he had stopped breathing altogether. The four of us checked him closely, and he had indeed passed away. After giving him a proper burial, we discussed claiming the treasure. Since the fifteenth of the first lunar month was still some time away, we decided to return to our respective sects to verify the authenticity of the treasure and to meticulously plan the details of claiming it. We also agreed on a time and place for our next meeting."

"When we met again, we each presented the information we had gathered. It turned out that three hundred years ago, a one-armed swordsman named Qu Da had appeared in the martial arts world. His name was ordinary, but his martial arts were extraordinary, and he was upright. Tales of him punishing the wicked and aiding the virtuous were often heard in the martial arts world at that time, but no one knew his origins. Everyone tried their best to inquire about his sect and background, but all efforts were in vain. This Qu Da never engaged in sparring matches, because, according to him, his sword moves were all killing blows, and any engagement would result in bloodshed, making them unsuitable for practice. Moreover, he did not seek fame. Although his martial arts were very high, people could not compare him to the top martial artists in the world. However, Daoist Qingmao, who was considered the foremost martial artist at the time, said that after witnessing Qu Da's swordsmanship, he felt he was inferior to Qu Da's resolute, instantaneous killing intent. Upon hearing this, the entire martial arts world was in an uproar, and no one dared to provoke Qu Da anymore."

"However, some people who wanted to gain fame pestered Qu Da, demanding matches, but Qu Da avoided them. Until one time, Qu Da encountered the second most powerful expert of the Demonic Path massacring a village. He intervened righteously and struck the assailant down with his sword. From then on, his ears were quiet, and truly, no one came to seek death anymore. The area where Qu Da resided, Yunzhou, which was the name of Pingyang City three hundred years ago, was free from the harassment of petty martial artists."

"Actually, what made us most envious wasn't his martial arts. Sword manuals are truly coveted only by people from Ten Thousand Sword Peak," Hermit Yanming said with a smile to Ma Xiangyang. "We discovered that this Qu Da actually lived to be one hundred and twenty years old."

"Ah~" the six young people listening to the story exclaimed in surprise.

People in the martial arts world were not like ordinary folk. They lived on the edge of a knife their entire lives, inevitably accumulating internal and external injuries. While these might not cause significant issues in their youth, they would manifest in their later years. Unless one cultivated profound internal energy, very few people lived past eighty. Therefore, Qu Da living to one hundred and twenty was truly a miracle.

At this moment, the eyes of the young people also began to gleam, as they all pondered whether they could find longevity-extending medicinal herbs in the dense forest. In truth, their attitudes towards secret manuals were mostly the same; they couldn't even finish practicing their own sect's martial arts, so where would they find the time to practice techniques from other sects? Besides, even the most supreme martial arts required time and sweat to accumulate. The people present were not young anymore, and their meridians were already solidified. Practicing them now would yield half the results for twice the effort. What fool would do such a thing? It would be better to gain personal benefits. Living ten more years meant enjoying life for ten more years. It also meant ten more years to practice martial arts, which was much better than any supreme martial art. Of course, if there were any supreme sword techniques that could be brought back to benefit their own sects, it would be considered contributing to the sect's development. Their achievements would then be recorded in the sect's archives, and they would be remembered for eternity. As they thought about it, it was as if they could all see each other drooling.

Seeing the expressions of these juniors, Hermit Yanming smiled knowingly and continued, "So, the four of us continued to discuss the matters of exploring and claiming the treasure. And based on our respective influences, we assigned different personnel to search for similar terrain. Heaven rewards the diligent. As early as two months ago, we finally discovered this Stone Man Peak. Finally, according to our prior agreement, to avoid attracting the attention of other sects, they all remained at their own sects and only sent out their second-generation outstanding disciples. They didn't even send their Sect Leader's eldest disciples or anyone who might draw attention. Instead, I, the Manor Lord who had not founded a sect, would lead people from various sects to claim the treasure."

"Of course, you are all reliable candidates from your sects and confidantes of your Sect Leaders. We had all discussed this before you came. If you have any personal encounters with treasures in the treasure location, they will belong to you." Immediately, everyone's expressions became radiant, finally understanding why their Masters had sent them instead of others. Hermit Yanming continued, "Now, let's talk about the most important thing: the method of treasure distribution." Upon hearing this, everyone's expression turned serious, and they listened intently. "If the treasure can be distributed equally, then let it be distributed equally. If there are differences, distribute the items that can be distributed equally first. As for the rest, how do you think it should be divided?"

Everyone was stunned and found it quite peculiar. This Hermit Yanming was rather humorous; even at this point, he was still thinking of testing the juniors. He was truly an interesting person; no wonder their Masters could let him come alone to lead a group of juniors. Wen Wenhai rubbed his nose and said, "Hermit, people of the martial arts world have their own rules. Let's decide with our fists and martial arts." The rest also agreed. Hermit Yanming said profoundly, "Your Masters all said the same thing. Initially, they suggested a sword competition, but except for Ten Thousand Sword Peak, everyone else disagreed. Then they suggested a fist fight, but except for the Misty Sect, everyone else disagreed. Leg techniques were the same. So, they proposed a best-of-three match, with a point to stop, but how can we martial artists control ourselves so well in a fight? They were also worried about their disciples' safety, as you are all their direct disciples or relatives. Alas, they argued endlessly. Finally, I offered a suggestion that resolved everything in one sentence. Can you guess what it was?"

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes wide, completely unable to guess. Hermit Yanming egged them on from the side. Finally, Xue Qing, blushing, stammered, "P-predecessor, could it be rock-paper-scissors?" After saying it, her face was so red it looked like it would bleed. Hermit Yanming exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Xue has an exceptionally sharp mind; she guessed it exactly right." Everyone was in an uproar, but only Wen Wenhai wore a strange expression.

Everyone looked at the lean-faced, scholarly-looking senior expert before them with "reverence," feeling a sense of closeness. They all thought to themselves, "How can there be such a big difference between people? My Master always has a stern face; where does he get this kind of demeanor?"

Just as everyone was silently criticizing their Masters, Hermit Yanming glanced at the dawn clouds on the horizon, slapped his forehead, and said, "Quick, let's go to the edge of the forest. Don't miss the time."

Saying that, he was the first to run to the edge of the forest.

At that moment, the rising morning sun peeked over the mountain. A shadow, like lightning, swept over from the direction of the forest, passing precisely between two trees at the edge of the woods and rapidly retreating towards Stone Man Peak.