Before the people on horseback outside came in, Xu Qing saw...

Taoist Sun skillfully dodged under the table.

Xu Qing was about to speak but was pulled down by Taoist Sun. Xu Qing said nothing and squatted under the table with him.

The ones arriving were a group of bandits on horseback.

Taoist Sun skillfully handed over a money pouch from under the table.

He and Xu Qing were considered lucky, as they kept their clothes, while the other drinkers didn't even have their clothes left.

As for the tavern shopkeeper, he had long handed over the silver from the counter.

Fortunately, this group of bandits only wanted money, not lives.

Xu Qing was even luckier, as he had no money and drank a round for free.

However, squatting under the table was somewhat undignified.

What kind of situation is this?

The Jade Emperor descended to earth and got robbed by a group of bandits?

On the mountain road back.

Taoist Sun, holding a lantern, with a bit of drunkenness, said, "Hehe, Xu Qing, now you understand why I, the Taoist mister, carry a shabby lantern. This thing, even the bandits won't bother with it."

Because of the dark night, Xu Qing rolled his eyes, thinking, "You, a kitchen steward Taoist of Chongyang Palace, getting robbed by bandits, still feel quite proud."

"Xu Qing, why aren't you responding to me?"

Perhaps having been robbed together, Taoist Sun found Xu Qing more agreeable.

Xu Qing: "Daoist, why didn't those bandits take our clothes, was it because they saw we were from Chongyang Palace?"

"Of course, that's the reason."

Xu Qing: "..."

Taoist Sun, seeing Xu Qing silent, laughed and said, "What's the matter, feeling uncomfortable about being robbed? Rest assured, the money was from public funds, you don't have to compensate. Oh, originally there was a bonus for carrying corpses, but that's gone now too."

Xu Qing: "Daoist, with our Quanzhen Sect being so formidable, how dare the bandits run wild at the foot of the mountain?"

Taoist Sun sighed, "You think it's like the old days, ever since True Master Li lost the debate on scriptures with the Mongols, our Chongyang Palace has had to tuck our tails between our legs, where dare we flaunt our martial prowess."

As he said this, he suddenly paused and stared at Xu Qing: "Xu Qing, are you thinking about practicing martial arts?"

"I wish to," Xu Qing did not conceal.

Taoist Sun patted Xu Qing's shoulder and laughed, "You're brave enough to carry corpses and aren't frightened by bandits, indeed a courageous person. The first rule of martial arts practice is courage, and you're willing to crawl under the table with me, showing you're adaptable. Such a person, after learning martial arts, won't be aggressive or rash, and will live long."

He pointed out several of Xu Qing's strengths at once.

"So is the Daoist planning to recommend me for martial arts training?" Xu Qing asked in an expectant tone.

It's not that he looked down on Chongyang Palace's current martial arts, but he urgently needed to supplement his diet, otherwise, his body couldn't handle the training.

Moreover, he could guess that Taoist Sun must have this in mind, otherwise, he wouldn't have brought up these things.

Xu Qing naturally had to seize the opportunity and climb up the ladder.

Taoist Sun: "You're astute, so I'll speak frankly. Previously, True Master Sun asked who could carry corpses, and I thought of you. For one, you are literate, and secondly, I've noticed these days that you're not one to show off, you're a quiet person, so I've taken a bit of interest in you."

Xu Qing clasped his hands in respect: "If the Daoist can allow me to practice martial arts, in the future, I will be at the service of the Daoist and the True Master."

Taoist Sun nodded: "You have good comprehension."

...

...

In the woodshed, Xu Qing didn't sleep crowded with other Firework Taoists on the pit; as usual, he slept in a small corner, and when everyone else was fast asleep, he adjusted his breathing and circulated his Qi-blood.

Alas, with insufficient nutrition, the amount of Qi-blood is minimal, but not exhausting his body in practice is already Xu Qing's superb skill.

He was pondering the previous matters.

Perhaps Taoist Sun's tests, including the bandits and the corpse-carrying, were all part of it.

Could the bandits have a connection with Chongyang Palace?

Xu Qing recalled that, aside from the two of them, there were no people from Chongyang Palace in the tavern earlier.

Although this was because Chongyang Palace had a Dharma assembly today, and all personnel were not allowed to leave without reason, it was still a coincidence.

Taoist Sun did point out his strengths, which were indeed true, but Xu Qing speculated that the matter might not be that simple.

This world is too mysterious; Xu Qing couldn't see through it for now.

In any case, first practice martial arts and then see.

He wasn't sure if it was because of being in Chongyang Palace, or Xu Qing's deep self-control.

Despite encountering such a "Mortal Transformation" experience, he wasn't very frustrated.

Go with the flow, act when the time comes.

Life, after all, has its ups and downs; being alive is good.

...

...

The next day, Xu Qing was brought before True Master Sun by Taoist Sun.

Chongyang Palace had five True Masters, the Master was Zhang Zhijing.

True Master Sun ranked last among the five.

Last meaning, there was no one after.

Taoist Sun didn't say it, but that's how Xu Qing understood it.

True Master Sun was a female Taoist.

In colloquial terms, a Taoist nun.

True Master Sun looked over fifty; her position was inherited from her aunt.

Although the Quanzhen Sect was the largest sect today, it was, in essence, run by a family.

To put it plainly, it was backed by local aristocratic families.

"You must be Xu Qing," True Master Sun's voice was neither youthful nor old.

"Disciple is Xu Qing."

"Hmm, you look decent; start as a registered disciple. For specific matters, listen to Sun Fu's instructions."

Butlers of wealthy families like to use the name "Fu."

Xu Qing had even named his family's steward Xu Fu before.

Indeed, people were all vulgar, fond of fortune.

True Master Sun didn't instruct Xu Qing on any matters, probably because the time wasn't right yet.

Xu Qing knew well that when he got on track with martial arts, there would surely be tasks arranged.

For those without background, to earn a chance to stand out, often they have to gamble with their lives.

Actually, he wondered what the outcome would be if he died in this world.

Return to the Taixu Universe, back to the Pure Yang Realm's Great Yu Immortal Dynasty?

Because he had no mana or divine skills, death was again unknown to Xu Qing.

He feared the unknown and was excited by it.

Ah, people are so perverse.

If there were no waves in life, one would inevitably be discontent.

Good or bad, life always needs a bit of flavor.

For instance, spiciness is essentially a pain sensation, yet many people enjoy it.

Taoist Sun took Xu Qing to the practice room and even arranged a private room for him, a treatment that compared to the Firework Taoists was like heaven and earth.

More importantly, he could eat meat now.

Because Taoist Sun gave Xu Qing a stack of meat tickets.

In Chongyang Palace, only with meat tickets could one eat meat. Without them, even if one privately hunted game, if discovered, it would be confiscated.

In this world, mountains, rivers, and streams all have owners. Even fishing in the river, if someone sees you, you'll be beaten and scolded.

"Xu Qing, today I will teach you the 'Carefree Travel' technique."

It turns out Taoist Sun knew martial arts.

Of course, Xu Qing could tell that he only knew a little, not much.

'Carefree Travel' is a set of hand techniques.

But the essence of this hand technique is the movement technique.

After Taoist Sun demonstrated a set, he had Xu Qing follow along, move by move, and was wide-eyed.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.