"Guo Kan?" Yuan Wangsun was visibly shaken.

A name carries weight like a tree casts a shadow.

Guo Kan was not only a revered strategist in the Mongol army but also a monumental figure in the Northern Land, adopted by the Shi Family, a prominent aristocratic family with strong connections.

It is known that the Shi Family contributed greatly during the founding of the Mongol Yuan dynasty.

Shi Tianze, who adopted Guo Kan, even served as Prime Minister.

However, Shi Tianze fell out of favor with the Mongol Yuan Emperor, leading to the decline of the Shi Family.

Yuan Wangsun had also heard that before Guo Kan passed away, he intended to pass down his lifelong absolute skill, the Dragon Subduing Palm, to the heirs of the Shi Family.

The young Taoist: "Mm, Guo Kan was an old acquaintance of mine, alas..."

He showed a tinge of nostalgic melancholy.

Yuan Wangsun: "Daoist, I've known you for many years, and your appearance hasn't changed at all. I only heard you mention once that you trained under True Master Chang Chunzi of the Quanzhen Sect. Yet, despite searching long, I haven't heard of such a disciple. Moreover, if you were a disciple of Chang Chunzi, considering the years, you should be at least seventy by now."

Life beyond seventy is a rarity.

As much as people aspire for eternal life, reaching this age means having seen and experienced much. In truth, many things may start to seem meaningless.

Life feels meaningless, yet faced with death, there's fear.

At times, people are conflicted—fearing death as the end of everything, thus dying would mean escaping worldly suffering; yet also fearing there might be nothing after death.

Yuan Wangsun had long been oscillating between these two states.

Yet, every time he saw the young Taoist, he would forget these vexing thoughts.

The young Taoist possessed an aura that transcended life and death.

No matter how significant life and death might be, on him, it seemed to bear no weight.

The young Taoist smiled slightly: "I have no age, and the experience of learning at the Quanzhen Sect is something only I can remember, others..."

As he spoke, there was an indescribable wistfulness.

Yuan Wangsun sighed: "Truly, you are a remarkable person, Daoist."

The young Taoist: "Alright, let's not talk about these matters. On my way here this time, I met a young brother. Don't be fooled by his youth; he is no ordinary person. Even Peng Yingyu, mentioned by the Old Urchin, cannot compare to him."

"Now I am intrigued, where might he be?"

"Junbao, come meet Manor Master Yuan." The young Taoist clapped his hands.

As soon as he finished speaking,

a voice resonated from outside the manor: "Daoist, may I come in?"

The voice was exceptionally rich, testament to the vigor in his qi-blood.

Yuan Wangsun soon saw a tall and robust young man appear outside the hall, exuding a heroic and uninhibited aura.

"Daoist, if you hadn't introduced this young brother, I would have thought he was a disciple of yours."

The young man cupped his hands towards Yuan Wangsun: "I do not have the fortune to study under the Daoist."

The young Taoist smiled: "Junbao, go ahead and introduce yourself to Manor Master Yuan."

"I am Zhang Junbao, at your service, Master Yuan."

"Zhang Junbao? The name sounds familiar."

"Remember the one from Shaoshi Mountain a few years ago." The young Taoist reminded.

"So it's you." Yuan Wangsun was astonished.

Zhang Junbao was not originally well-known, even with his connection to the Shaolin Temple. But two years ago, He Zudao from Kunlun Mountain established the Kunlun Sect, gaining great fame in the Western Regions; the Kunlun Sect quickly rose to prominence.

And He Zudao, the headmaster who was peerless in the Western Regions, personally admitted to having been defeated by a young man on Shaoshi Mountain—a young Zhang Junbao.

This was a matter from over ten years ago now.

Considering the years, Zhang Junbao indeed was in his twenties, in the prime of his youth.

Yuan Wangsun further inquired about his age, discovering it was similar to that of his own son, Yuan Feng.

The young Taoist also mentioned how Zhang Junbao once intended to rescue Prime Minister Wen, but unfortunately realized that his martial arts at the time were insufficient, leading to a sense of regret.

"In reality, even if Junbao had met Prime Minister Wen, he wouldn't have managed to take him away, for Prime Minister Wen intended to use his death to strike at the heart of the Mongol Yuan." The young Taoist sighed.

Yuan Wangsun paused upon hearing this; as the head of an aristocratic family, he understood the meaning behind the young Taoist's words.

However, by Yuan Wangsun's generation, the Yuan family was nearly fully integrated into the worldly society, differing greatly from traditional elites.

Yet, every so often, when he flipped through their family's heirloom, "The Book of Changes," he couldn't help but recall the past glories of their ancestors.

After a moment of reflection, Yuan Wangsun addressed Zhang Junbao: "Young Master Zhang, you are about the same age as my son Feng. I'll call him out to meet you."

Zhang Junbao had no objections.

Yuan Feng had already heard his father was meeting with the nameless young Taoist, so when his father's messenger came, he hurried over.

"Feng, this is the Daoist who cured your eye ailment when you were young."

Nameless Daoist, also known as a peculiar Dao.

He had gained some fame in the martial world, often a distinguished guest of aristocratic families.

The reason this peculiar Dao frequently visited the homes of the powerful, he said, was to enjoy the meal.

Because the world's finest cuisine could all be found on the dining tables of the powerful and the wealthy.

This Daoist often remarked that only fine wine and exquisite foods could not be missed.

He once consumed a thousand cups without getting drunk by Dongting Lake and left walking on moonlight.

Yuan Feng had gathered many stories about the Daoist, and the more he learned, the more he was astounded, though he harbored a grudge against the Daoist, as he could cure his eyes but not his legs.

But the Daoist said he was destined to be incomplete, and having an innate slight leg length discrepancy was already fortunate.

Yuan Feng, being quite conscious of this, was very careful while walking, appearing just like an ordinary person.

Only he himself knew the tremendous effort required to maintain this appearance.

As Yuan Feng greeted, his expression was unreadable.

"Is it you?" Zhang Junbao exclaimed excitedly.

Yuan Feng looked puzzled, yet suddenly felt a weight on his body and instinctively retaliated.

It was at this moment, the young Taoist stood between the two and dissolved their force.

With that, Yuan Feng only felt his strength disappear like a mud ox into the sea, and he grew more wary of the young Taoist.

The young Taoist calmly said, "Junbao, this is not him; you've mistaken."

Zhang Junbao nodded: "The person I mentioned had far superior martial arts to him."

Yuan Feng blushed: "Young Master Zhang, your martial skills are indeed commendable, but the person you speak of with such skill, isn't someone I believe exists."

He had already mastered the martial arts of the Guanzhong Yuan Family and had visited the Shaolin Temple to learn many of their absolute skills, considering rare were those who could rival him.

Zhang Junbao: "I cannot explain this matter; my apologies for earlier."

He bowed in apology to Yuan Feng.

The young Taoist chuckled: "It's not enough to apologize just with words after offending the host. How about this: Junbao, you should visit the Sun Family. You are aware of what is about to happen there. This journey could also help you resolve a lingering matter in your heart. However, if you meet a Taoist surnamed Xu from Chongyang Palace, remember to send him my regards."

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