I am Zhao Zhijing, a poor Taoist priest, and I have disciples all over the world.

Chapter 3: Learning more can lead to progress

The next day, Zhao Zhijing got up early, washed himself, and put on the Taoist robe and cap that symbolized three generations of disciples.

At dawn, the first bell rang in Chongyang Palace. Zhao Zhijing opened the door and followed many fellow disciples to the main hall.

Zhao Zhijing is the eldest disciple under Wang Chuyi. He has been recuperating for a few days. Apart from his fellow disciples who greet him one by one, others are at most polite. As for the younger disciples, they are more afraid of him than respectful and stay as far away from him as possible.

It seems that his original popularity was not that good.

In addition to the previous incarnation's bad temper and narrow-mindedness, there are other reasons.

At this time, the most powerful disciples in Quanzhen Sect were those belonging to Qiu Chuji.

If the Seven Quanzhen disciples are compared to brothers and sisters, then the third-generation disciples such as Zhao Zhijing, Zhen Zhibing and Shen Zhifan are cousins, and the disciples below them are distant brothers.

There are many disciples in each branch and sect, and competition is inevitable among them. The current head of Quanzhen Sect, Ma Yuzhen, is indifferent by nature and devotes himself to practicing Taoism. No matter what big or small things happen in the sect, he usually chooses to govern by doing nothing.

As a result, Qiu Chuji, who had the highest martial arts skills among the Seven and had been active in the martial arts world for many years, became more and more famous, and his disciples also became superior in the Quanzhen Sect.

His disciple Zhen Zhibing has the same style of doing things, he is bold, straightforward, arrogant, and is highly regarded by the head monk Ma Yu, who has a feeling of being the popular choice.

Zhao Zhijing from Wang Chuyi's lineage has the highest martial arts skills among the three generations of disciples and is also the candidate for the next headmaster, so naturally he does not get along with him.

As a result, the followers who were loyal to Qiu Chuji and Zhen Zhibing would naturally take the initiative to draw a clear line with Zhao Zhijing.

It didn't take long before they arrived at the Sanqing Hall, headed by the headmaster Ma Yu, with Qiu Chuji and Wang Chuyi sitting at the front, followed by the third generation disciples, and then the fourth generation disciples.

The Taoists first recited "The Scripture of Purity and Tranquility Spoken by the Most High Lord Laojun" together, and then the head Taoist Ma Yu explained some annotations in the scripture.

Zhao Zhijing was stuck in the middle, like a Mr. Nan Guo who was just filling in the gaps, with his mouth open but no sound coming out.

Qiu Chuji slacked off until the end of the morning class, when he clapped his hands three times and said in a clear voice, "The Immortal Changsheng (Liu Chuxuan) and the Pure Wanderer (Sun Buer) have sent news that they have encountered the Red Snake Fairy Li Mochou in the east of the river, and she is extremely troublesome."

"The headmaster has discussed with us that Yuyang Zhenren (Wang Chuyi) and I will lead ten disciples to provide support immediately."

After hearing the news, all the Taoists in the hall were somewhat surprised and angry. In recent years, the name of "Red Snake Fairy" Li Mochou was indeed quite famous, but they did not expect that two of the Seven Quanzhen Masters could not defeat her.

Moreover, the older disciples in the sect knew something about the dispute between Wang Chongyang, the founder of Quanzhen Sect, and the founder of the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Now that he can’t defeat Li Mochou, doesn’t that mean the Quanzhen Sect’s successor has lost to the Ancient Tomb Sect’s successor?
The Taoists were talking about it, but Qiu Chuji didn't pay any attention to it. He was always decisive in doing things. Since he had already made a plan, he selected ten good disciples from among the disciples. Finally, he looked at Zhao Zhijing.

"I wanted to take you with me, but firstly, you have just recovered from the bee venom and need to recover; secondly, Guoer has just started, so he needs your careful training."

"So let's just stay on the mountain."

If it were in the past, Zhao Zhijing would definitely feel resentful after hearing these words. Why do you and your clan Qiu Chuji always get all the limelight?
Besides, my master Wang Chuyi hasn't said anything yet, how can you take over his authority and give orders directly?

But at this time, Zhao Zhijing just bowed and said, "Disciple obeys your command."

Thank you very much, Brother Ji.

After the Taoists sent Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi and others out of the mountain gate, they went to the vegetarian room to have their meal.

Breakfast ended quickly, and Zhao Zhijing was not in a hurry to go to the side hall. After leaving the vegetarian room where the meal was served, he walked in Chongyang Palace at a leisurely pace.

Although I was very familiar with the entire Chongyang Palace in my memory, after seeing it with my own eyes, I had a different feeling about this ancestral temple of Taoism.

By this time the sun had risen completely and it was midsummer. More than a dozen Taoist temples scattered among the green pines and cypresses were surrounded by steaming mist, like a fairyland.

When I think about the Mongols invading the south at that time, the zombies running everywhere, and the tragic scene of nine out of ten houses being empty and thousands of miles of barren land north of the mountains and rivers, it really seems like a lifetime ago.

Zhao Zhijing sighed in his heart, and unknowingly came to the side hall where the art was taught. Yesterday, he asked Lu Qingdu to call all the disciples. Today, he would test the students. At this time, all fifteen of his disciples were already there waiting.

Including the new member Yang Guo, there are sixteen people in total.

Zhao Zhijing looked at Yang Guo. He had given the order yesterday that Yang Guo, who had been wearing casual clothes, finally changed into a Taoist robe, which seemed to fit him well.

Not only that, I think it’s because they know that their master is going to test them, so these disciples each held a weapon they were good at, such as hand guards, leggings, swords, spears, sticks, and even little Yang Guo held a wooden sword to make up the number.

Zhao Zhijing found it amusing, the oldest of these disciples was only twenty years old, while the younger ones, like Yang Guo, were only thirteen or fourteen years old, which was the right age to be willing to wield swords and sticks.

But if you think that as a teacher I only test your martial arts skills, you are very wrong.

"Qing Du, you brothers are all carrying swords and knives, what are you going to do?"

Lu Qingdu was stunned by the question. It was his master who clearly told him yesterday that he would test his martial arts today. Why was he asking the question now?
"answer."

Zhao Zhijing's tone became more serious, and Lu Qingdu quickly replied: "Master, you said yesterday that you wanted to test your disciples' martial arts, so..."

"You are good at misinterpreting things, Qingxing. Tell me, what did I order yesterday?"

Compared to Lu Qingdu, who was strong but simple-minded, Liu Qingxing was obviously smarter and answered immediately: "Master said that he would test the disciples' lessons in the side hall today."

Lu Qingdu blinked in confusion, thinking that testing students' homework was just testing their martial arts, and it had been like this every time in the past.

Zhao Zhijing nodded and said, "Yes, that's exactly what I want to test you on."

"But when did the Quanzhen Sect's teachings become limited to fists, kicks, weapons, internal and external skills?"

These words made the disciples even more confused. Quanzhen Sect was a branch of Taoism. In addition to its martial arts which were known as "the authentic martial arts in the world", it also specialized in alchemy, drawing talismans, preaching scriptures, praying for blessings and warding off disasters, and even the art of medicine.

However, in troubled times, if one wants to establish a foothold, martial arts must naturally come first, and everything else is just a side job.

This is especially true of Zhao Zhijing, whose martial arts skills were the best among the three generations of disciples. He was often proud of this and taught his disciples that learning martial arts is like sailing against the current and that one must practice diligently and never slack off for even a day.

"A teacher is someone who imparts knowledge and resolves doubts."

Zhao Zhijing spoke in a serious tone, and slowly delivered the speech he had prepared all night.

"In today's chaotic world, practicing martial arts is important, but we must not forget our original intentions. We should not put the cart before the horse and abandon the fundamental principles of cultivation for those who seek the truth."

"Your ancestors have to hold morning prayers every day and also give lectures and explanations. Have you ever thought seriously about such a simple truth?"

Zhao Zhijing spoke more and more fluently, drawing on the wisdom summed up by modern people from thousands of years of history, citing extensively, and even including his graduation thesis from the Taoist College.

All the disciples were dumbfounded by what he said, and their eyes widened.

Even Yang Guo, who was wary, couldn't help but admit, "This Taoist's martial arts may not be that great, but his words are admirable. Compared with my knowledgeable Aunt Guo, he seems to be a few points better."

This was exactly the effect Zhao Zhijing wanted. His previous life had fallen flat in front of the entire sect because of Guo Jing.

If I don't get this face back, how can I convince my disciples and make them practice martial arts willingly?
If they don't practice hard, how can I slack off in peace?

As for martial arts alone, it is probably unrealistic to catch up with a top master like Guo Jing in a short period of time, but I also have to let these disciples know that martial arts are not the only thing that their master can show off!

More importantly, Huang Shang realized the Nine Yin Scriptures, the general outline of all martial arts in the world, through the "Daoist Canon"; the Drunken Monk came up with the Nine Yang Scriptures through the "Lankavatara Sutra"; the Xiaoyao Sect's highest martial arts, the Beiming Divine Art, came from "Xiao Yao You", and there are many similar plots in the original work.

So studying more and reading more is definitely not a bad thing!
(End of this chapter)