Master Shangling’s three consecutive slaps left the black-clad fat man completely dazed.
The final slap sent him flying five meters.
He crashed to the ground, face bruised, nose swollen, blood trickling from his mouth, utterly humiliated.
“From this day forward, Wu Qiang is barred from setting foot on this mountain.”
Shangling pointed at the two fake Taoists following the fat man, “And you two—never come back.”
“If I catch you impersonating Wudang Taoists and causing trouble again, I’ll report you to the authorities, and you’ll spend the rest of your lives in prison.”
“Get lost!”
Shangling’s final word carried inner force, like a thunderclap, scaring Wu Qiang and the two impostors into scrambling away in terror.
The scene finally quieted.
Shangling approached Ye Qiu, bowing, “Master Ye, your visit honors us. I apologize for not greeting you properly.”
“About this incident, allow me to explain.”
“Wu Qiang and those two were homeless drifters. My master, out of compassion, let them stay as laborers.”
“Last year, I discovered they were posing as our disciples, extorting tourists. I reprimanded them harshly.”
“Not only did they not repent, they doubled down. Furious, I expelled them.”
“But they went on to scam villagers at the mountain’s base, pretending to be Wudang disciples, performing rituals and fortune-telling, swindling plenty of money. The villagers caught on, tied them up, and brought them back here.”
“To prevent further chaos, I had no choice but to keep them as laborers again.”
“Recently, they extorted 20,000 from tourists. When my junior brother Shangzhen found out, he expelled them once more.”
“Who’d have thought they’d linger here and offend Master Ye and this lady? I’m deeply ashamed and apologize to you both.”
Shangling bowed ninety degrees to Ye Qiu and Xiao Yiren.
Ye Qiu smiled, “Just a minor hiccup. No need to dwell on it, Master. Where is your master, Master Chongxu?”
“My master is in the inner courtyard. Please follow me, Master Ye.” Shangling gestured invitingly, leading Ye Qiu through the palace gate.
Crossing the threshold, they navigated several turns, and the view opened up.
Ancient buildings stood atop the peak, shrouded in mist, like a fairyland.
As Shangling led the way, he introduced the mountain to Ye Qiu:
“Since the late Han Dynasty, Wudang has been a retreat for Taoist immortals.”
“In the Tang Dynasty, it was listed as the ninth of the seventy-two blessed lands.”
“Most of these palaces were built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty.”
“Ming Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Di, ordered officials from the Ministry of Rites and Works, leading over 300,000 soldiers and craftsmen, to build Wudang over twelve years, known as ‘building the Forbidden City in the north, restoring Wudang in the south.’ Zhu Di also declared Wudang a ‘Great Mountain,’ ranking above the Five Sacred Mountains.”
“In the thirty-first year of Jiajing, the court named Wudang the ‘Mountain of Governance,’ elevating it as the supreme imperial temple. At that time, Wudang became the premier Taoist mountain.”
“Since its founding, Wudang has produced countless talents.”
“The most famous, with the deepest impact on Taoism, is our founder, Zhang Sanfeng!”
Shangling, like a tour guide, spoke endlessly about Wudang’s history.
Ye Qiu listened, nodding along.
As they talked, they climbed weathered stone steps.
Along the way, they passed many robed Taoists who paused to bow to Shangling.
Shangling returned their greetings.
Wudang’s strict discipline was evident.
They continued onward.
Shangling added, “Master Ye, you may not know, but Wudang is divided into outer and inner courtyards. The outer courtyard handles tourists and major ceremonies, while the inner courtyard is off-limits to outsiders, except for our disciples.”
“This is to prevent tourists from disturbing the inner disciples’ cultivation.”
“Oh, I forgot to introduce—this is my junior brother, Shangzhen.”
Shangling presented the middle-aged Taoist to Ye Qiu.
“Greetings, Master,” Ye Qiu said with a smile.
Shangzhen laughed, “I’d heard Master Ye was young, but seeing you today, you’re even younger than I imagined. Truly, the new generation surpasses the old.”
Ye Qiu replied politely, “You flatter me, Master.”
They kept walking.
Finally, they reached a palace perched on a cliff, built against the mountain, supported by wooden pillars, at least thirty meters above ground—a perilous sight.
Ye Qiu scanned the area. No path led to the palace, but every six meters or so, a square stone protruded from the cliff, like bricks.
“My master is up there.”
Shangling pointed to the palace, then leaped, his toes lightly tapping a protruding stone, propelling him upward. He stepped on the next stone and, in moments, reached the palace door.
“Master Ye, come up!” Shangling called, waving from above.
“Yiren, want to go up?” Ye Qiu asked.
Xiao Yiren shook her head, “No path? Too dangerous.”
“No worries. With me, you’re safe.” Ye Qiu wrapped an arm around Xiao Yiren’s waist.
Her face flushed red. Before she could react, her vision blurred, wind whistling past her ears. Looking back, they were ten meters off the ground.
“Ah!” Xiao Yiren screamed.
“Don’t be scared, you’re fine,” Ye Qiu’s gentle words soothed her like a breeze.
Instantly, Xiao Yiren felt safe, clinging tightly to him.
Soon, they stood before the palace.
Half a minute later, Shangzhen arrived from below, smiling at Ye Qiu, “Master Ye, so young yet so skilled. I’m impressed.”
“No need for modesty, Master. Your cultivation is impressive too,” Ye Qiu said, having sensed Shangzhen’s strength rivaled Dragon List experts.
Shangling bowed to the closed palace doors, announcing loudly, “Master, Master Ye of Dragon Gate is here to visit.”
Ten seconds passed.
Clang!
The palace doors swung open.
A laugh echoed from within, “My path has never been swept for guests, but today it opens for you…”
Ye Qiu’s expression shifted.
Could Master Chongxu be like Master Longbrow, an old flirt?
