Chapter 49 Literacy
The best way to get back to Huashan from Hengshan is to first take a boat to western Henan, and then return to Huayin by land.

Liu Zhengfeng has arranged everything.

Huashan and his group left Hengshan City and came to the waterside. They boarded the large ship prepared for them by Liu Zhengfeng and headed north along the waterway.

Many of Huashan’s disciples were riding on such a large ship for the first time. They stood on the deck, touching and looking around, chattering non-stop.

Shi Potian stood at the bow, looking at the Hengshan City getting farther and farther away. Suddenly, he seemed to realize something and looked up at a mountain in the north of the river.

However, all I saw was a lush forest without a single person in sight.

Before he could take a closer look, he heard Yue Buqun say, “Chong’er, I asked your Uncle Liu to prepare a book for you to learn to read. During this time when you are back, you should learn to read well with your Junior Sister.”

After observing for a period of time, Yue Buqun was sure that Shi Potian’s innocent heart would basically not be affected by the outside world, so he had the idea of ​​teaching Shi Potian to read and write.

What he wanted was not just a disciple with extraordinary martial arts skills, but a great master like Bodhidharma and Zhang Zhenren who could establish a school and go down in history – and bring him, the master, down in history as well.

The former can be illiterate, but the latter cannot!
In addition, there is also a sense of crisis.

Just yesterday, many people from the martial arts world came up to him to inquire about Shi Potian’s situation. All of them implied that they wanted to marry their daughters and nieces to Shi Potian. It didn’t matter if they were his wife or concubine, and dowry was not a problem. They guaranteed that he would be satisfied.

Plus there was Qu Feiyan who sneaked in to find Shi Potian in the middle of the night.

Yue Buqun wanted to give Yue Lingshan and Shi Potian more opportunities to develop their relationship by teaching them to read and write.

Yue Lingshan said with a smile: “Big Brother, you must study hard. If you dare to be distracted, I will hit you on the palm of your hand.”

Shi Potian quickly assured: “Junior sister, I will definitely study hard.”

Yue Lingshan shook her head, acting like an old scholar, and said in a long voice: “Well, this boy is teachable.”

All the Huashan disciples burst into laughter when they saw their junior sister acting strangely.

Shi Potian also laughed foolishly.

However, he didn’t know that on the mountain peak by the river, a person in green jumped back onto the treetop after he turned around, and watched the big ship gradually become smaller until it completely disappeared, and was unwilling to take her eyes off it.

Seeing his granddaughter like this, Qu Yang sighed slightly, but didn’t say much.

After some laughter on the boat, Yue Lingshan pulled Shi Potian into the cabin, took out the prepared “Kuiben Duixiang Four-Character Miscellaneous Characters”, and began to teach Shi Potian to recognize words.

Shi Potian is naturally very intelligent, but he has been confused over the years simply because he has lived in the wilderness since he was a child and has rarely come into contact with people, let alone received an education.

Now that he had the opportunity to learn to read, he quickly immersed himself in it and learned at an extremely fast speed.

With such a smart student, Yue Lingshan became more and more excited to teach.

Before I knew it, half a day had passed.

The boatman prepared a meal and was about to invite everyone to eat when he heard someone on the shore say loudly, “Excuse me, are the heroes of Huashan Sect on this boat?”

Yue Buqun stood up and walked out of the cabin, saying, “I am Yue Buqun from Huashan. I wonder who you are?”

The man was delighted and said, “I am a disciple of the Tea Gang. I have been waiting here for a long time on the orders of the gang leader. Quick, quick, bring it here.”

More than ten big men divided into two lines and walked out of a thatched hut on the shore. Each of them held a red lacquer box in his hand and followed the tea gang disciple to the boat.

The Tea Gang disciple bowed and said, “Mr. Yue, our leader has been busy lately and cannot come to see you off in person, so I have to let you come on his behalf. Please forgive me.”

Yue Buqun said: “Brother Zhang, you are too polite. It’s just a small matter, but you have to travel so far.”

The tea gang disciple took a quick glance and immediately recognized Shi Potian. He said, “My job is just to run errands. I would be willing to travel ten times more than a hundred miles to see Mr. Yue and Young Master Linghu.”

After some flattery, he continued, “I am here today not only to see Mr. Yue and the heroes of Huashan Sect off on behalf of our leader, but also to report something to Mr. Yue and Young Hero Linghu.”

“Our leader has already dealt with Li Niang’s affairs. The imperial court has approved the construction of a temple and shrine for her, and she will receive incense and offerings.”

“Our leader has already used all of Tian Boguang’s bounty money to support the elderly and orphans as instructed by Mr. Yue and Young Master Linghu.”

“Our gang leader said that he will keep an eye on this matter and there will be no mistakes. Mr. Yue and Young Master Linghu can rest assured.”

Yue Buqun said: “That’s good. Please, little brother, thank your leader for me. I will remember his kindness. He can come to Huashan as a guest when he has time, and let me show my hospitality.”

The tea gang disciple said, “I will definitely convey Mr. Yue’s words.” He turned around and motioned the big man behind him to bring the things over.

Yue Buqun said: “I appreciate your kindness. But you don’t need these things.”

The disciples of the Tea Gang waved their hands and said, “Mr. Yue, these are some local specialties of our Chaling. They are not worth much.”

“I am delivering these things here on the orders of the gang leader. If I take them back, even if the gang leader doesn’t say anything, I won’t be able to live on.”

After saying that, he asked the big man behind him to put down the things. Without giving Yue Buqun another chance to refuse, he bowed and hurriedly got off the boat.

Ning Zhongze frowned and said, “Brother, shall we send these things back?”

Yue Buqun shook his head and said, “No need to go through all this trouble. Open it and see what’s inside. We’ll write it down and return it when we have the chance.”

The Huashan disciples had long been curious about what was in these boxes, but since Yue Buqun didn’t speak, no one dared to move.

With Yue Buqun’s permission, he immediately stepped forward and opened the box, emitting bursts of exclamations.

Some of these boxes are filled with exquisite snacks, some are filled with candies, candied fruits, bacon and ham, some are filled with exquisitely packaged teas, and there are also a series of precious supplements such as bird’s nests, deer antlers, ginseng, etc., which are very valuable.

The Huashan disciples had already learned about Li Niang’s affairs from Yue Lingshan. When they heard how Zhang Anyuan had resolved the matter so thoroughly and quickly, and saw the dazzling array of gifts, they could only marvel at Zhang Anyuan’s generosity and chivalrous heart.

Yue Buqun knew clearly that although Zhang Anyuan was indeed generous and magnanimous, to be able to do this, he must have known about Shi Potian’s defeat of the Thirteen Guardians of Songshan.

He did not rush to see him off, not necessarily because he was busy, but perhaps because he did not have enough time, so he ordered his men to wait here and delivered this valuable gift.

Yue Buqun asked his disciples to share the snacks and candies, and to pack up the bird’s nest and deer antlers.

“This is so delicious! Brother, try this!”

It was a rare occasion for the Huashan disciples to see such exquisite snacks and preserves, and they were somewhat reluctant to eat them, but Yue Buqun knew that this was just the beginning.

The truth was just as he expected.

In the following days, no matter where their ship sailed or where they stopped, people came to visit them from time to time.

Some of them came from local powerful gangs and sects, while others came to thank Shi Potian for capturing Tian Boguang alive.

Yue Buqun never refused visitors, maintaining his image as a “gentleman swordsman”, being approachable and friendly without any airs, but he refused all gifts. However, even so, there were always people who followed Zhang Anyuan’s example and forcefully put down the gifts.

Along the way, before the ship reached western Henan, the cabin was already filled with all kinds of gifts.

The Huashan disciples were excited at the beginning, but later they became numb. Looking at the wild ginseng, deer antlers and bird’s nests that were weighed by the pound, they felt for the first time the weight of the words “fame and fortune” so clearly.

Shi Potian was determined and focused all his energy on learning to read and write, and was not affected by these things at all.

However, other Huashan disciples are different.

Although they knew that others were respectful to them because of the Huashan Sect, the Five Mountains Sword Sect, and their master and senior brother.

However, the repeated calls of “young hero” made them feel a little dizzy and forgetful.

Yue Buqun saw all this and didn’t say much. He led his disciples to get off the boat early and took a detour back to Huashan’s Jade Maiden Peak by land.

On the second morning after returning to the mountain, Yue Buqun gathered all his disciples to the martial arts field and began to test their martial arts.

“Your steps are frivolous and your breath is unstable. Have you been practicing your inner strength seriously since you came down the mountain? If you continue like this, your junior brother will surpass you!”

“This sword is too slow. When you strike, don’t hesitate. Look at your opponent, not your sword.”

“Did I teach you this? Keep your arms lower. When you strike with your sword like this, you leave yourself wide open. Are you afraid that others won’t be able to find your weakness?”

“Just because others praise you, you really think you are a hero? Your fancy moves and mediocre skills will not only bring shame to our Huashan Sect when you leave the mountain, but you may even lose your lives!”

……

Yue Buqun was furious and scolded all the Huashan disciples, including Lu Dayou, except Shi Potian, Yue Lingshan and Lin Ping who had just joined the sect.

“If this is your attitude towards martial arts, you don’t need to practice anymore. It’s better to go home and live a peaceful life than to die in the hands of others in the future.”

The Huashan disciples were so frightened that their faces turned pale and they quickly knelt on the ground to admit their mistakes. Their previous arrogance and impetuousness disappeared in an instant.

Ning Zhongze acted as the good guy in perfect harmony and advised, “Brother, Dayou and the others are still young after all. It’s their first time down the mountain, so it’s normal for them to be a little lax. Let them practice more during this period and make up for the missed opportunities.”

Yue Buqun snorted coldly: “For the sake of your master’s wife, I will let it go for now. I will check again in half a month. If you are still like this, then pack up and leave the mountain.”

The Huashan disciples responded, “Disciples understand.”

Yue Buqun glared and shouted, “What are you still standing there for? Practice your Qi and sword skills. Don’t hang around in front of me and waste your time.”

The disciples hurriedly took their leave.

Shi Potian and Yue Lingshan were about to follow, but Yue Buqun stopped them and asked, “Shan’er, how is your senior brother’s calligraphy?”

Yue Lingshan said: “I already know most of the commonly used characters, but I am not very familiar with the words and allusions.”

“I have already taught Senior Brother everything related to martial arts, and he has memorized it all.”

Yue Buqun was very satisfied and said, “Well, you did a good job. Chong’er, have you read the Qinggong secret book?”

Shi Potian shook his head: “Master, you said you would teach me when you came back, but I didn’t watch it.”

Yue Buqun was even more satisfied: “Bring it here, and I will tell you about it now.”

Shi Potian took the book out from his arms and handed it to Yue Buqun.

Yue Buqun said: “Shan’er, Junior Sister, you should listen too. Whether you learn it or not, you will gain something.” He explained it word by word.

Qu Yang didn’t know that Shi Potian was illiterate. The entire secret book, including the practice routes, was written down in words.

In addition to the most core Qigong routes, Qu Yang also wrote down all the practical skills he had accumulated over the years.

For example, how to convert the breath between leaps, how to bounce back quickly after landing, etc.

These details may seem insignificant, but they are the key to the difference in martial arts skills between masters.

Shi Potian listened with great interest and benefited a lot.

Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan are no exception.

By the time Yue Buqun finished explaining the contents of the book, Shi Potian had already learned the light body technique and could not wait to say, “Master, I want to try it out outside.”

“Go.”

Yue Buqun and the other two were no longer surprised by this.

Compared with internal strength and mental skills, Qinggong is more about skills and proficiency, and they are completely incomparable in terms of difficulty.

Shi Potian could even learn the Zixia magic skill in an instant, so it was not surprising that he could learn this light body skill after listening to it only once.

With Yue Buqun’s permission, Shi Potian stood up and walked to the training ground. According to the instructions in the secret book, he circulated his internal energy along specific meridians to his legs. With just a light jump, his body went more than half a foot beyond the courtyard wall.

It is much stronger than the Huashan Light Kung Fu he had learned before.

Shi Potian tried to adjust his body breath according to the contents of the book. The moment he landed, he took a deep breath and bounced up again.

Bang!
The feet landed on the ground and the dust scattered.

With the help of the force, Shi Potian soared into the sky like a cannonball, much higher than before.

But this time when he fell, he did not inhale, but exhaled gently.

The speed of the body’s descent suddenly decreased, just like a fallen leaf slowly falling, and the sound of it landing was so low that it was inaudible.

“Fun! So much fun!”

Shi Potian’s eyes lit up. He tried all the techniques that Qu Yang had written down in the book, and then deliberately did them in reverse. He became more and more proficient in this light-body technique, and his speed increased rapidly.

At the beginning, the Huashan disciples who were practicing martial arts could still see it clearly, but in the end, they could only see a green shadow flying in the middle of the yard, like a ghost, elegant and agile.

　The first one is on the shelves, and the manuscript is being saved…

At least five more…

I hope everyone can support me then~

　
(End of this chapter)