Dao Qi Wu Zang Guan Guan: I became a Daoist Master in the 1990s

Chapter 68 The Grandeur of a Noble Family
Qi Yun stood alone on the official road outside Jiujiang City.

The midday autumn sun cast its golden rays, covering the road surface.

"I go here only to seek peace for the people; the dragon's roar in the box will mark my return."

Qi Yun murmured Xuan Qing's poem, his heart filled with many emotions.

"Hopefully, this Sanyang Prefecture isn't the place where my martial uncle ultimately perished!"

Just as my heart was churning with emotion, a sudden burst of hoofbeats, like a torrential downpour, came from behind me on the official road, growing louder as it approached!

Qi Yun suddenly turned around.

Five riders sped towards them like arrows released from a bow, kicking up clouds of dust.

The first rider to mount the horse was a burly man, dressed in a tight-fitting black outfit that accentuated his bulging muscles. At his waist hung a thick-backed, wide-bladed goose-feather saber with a hilt wrapped in polished copper wire.

His face was purplish-red, his beard was bristling, and his tiger-like eyes shone brightly with every blink, exuding a powerful aura.

Behind him were four knights, all dressed in the uniforms of government officials, with iron rulers and chains at their waists, their expressions grim, following closely behind.

The hoofbeats were like thunder, and in an instant they were several feet in front of him!
The burly man suddenly pulled on the reins, and his steed reared up with a loud neigh, its large iron hooves stomping heavily, kicking up a cloud of gravel and dust.

"Uu——!"

His gaze was sharp as lightning, instantly locking onto Qi Yun, who was dressed in an indigo Taoist robe by the official road, his thick eyebrows furrowing slightly.

A capable constable behind him had already spurred his horse closer, leaned down and whispered a few words in his ear, his eyes frequently sweeping towards Qi Yun.

The scrutiny in the burly man's tiger-like eyes instantly turned into eagerness. He dismounted and nimbly strode to Qi Yun, cupping his hands in greeting and speaking in a booming voice: "Greetings, young Taoist priest! I am Chen Gang, the chief constable of Jiujiang Prefecture!"

"May I ask, Daoist Master, were you traveling into the city with Daoist Xuanqing just now?"

Qi Yun's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that his master was incredibly insightful, but he remained outwardly calm and bowed in return: "This humble Daoist is Qi Yun, and Master Xuanqing is indeed my master."

My uncle has important business to attend to and has already gone ahead to Sanyang Prefecture.

"Sanyang Prefecture?!" The eagerness on Chen Gang's face instantly turned into deep regret.

"Oh dear! What a coincidence! Lord Xie was overjoyed to learn of Daoist Xuanqing's arrival and immediately ordered us to come and invite him!"
Why is the Taoist priest walking in such a hurry?

He paused, his gaze lingering on Qi Yun's youthful face and Taoist robe, before tentatively asking, "Young Taoist priest, since you are Master Xuanqing's nephew, you must also be a highly accomplished disciple of the Five Organs Sect? I wonder why you did not travel with your esteemed master?"

"My master has ordered me to return to the mountains to report. Therefore, we must part ways again!"

"I see!" Chen Gang's regret lessened slightly, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute again. "The Five Organs Temple is a world-class immortal sect, and Master Xuanqing is a renowned and virtuous cultivator!"
I am but a simple martial artist, and I have always held you in high esteem! Now that the young Taoist priest has come to Jiujiang, you are an honored guest!
Lord Xie has prepared a small feast at his residence to show his hospitality; I hope the young Taoist priest will not refuse!

Having said that, Qi Yun knew he couldn't refuse, so he could only nod and say, "In that case, I'll trouble you, sir, and Constable Chen."

Chen Gang's face immediately broke into a smile, and he waved his hand: "Quick! Give Master Qi a horse!" A constable immediately dismounted and respectfully offered him the reins.

Qi Yun walked to the tall, strong yellow horse and took a deep breath.

Although he was reborn twice, he could not ride a horse in either life.

He mimicked the constable's movements, stepping his left foot into the stirrup, grabbing the saddle with his right hand, and leaping upwards with the power of his waist and legs!
The movements were still clumsy, and the force was slightly off when the body jumped up.

The yellow horse, though well-trained, keenly sensed the clumsy movements of the person on its back. It snorted uneasily, its hooves pawing restlessly in place, and then suddenly swung its head!
A strong force came from the reins, and Qi Yun swayed, almost being pulled down!
His mind raced, and the surging blood and qi within his body instantly surged forth. His waist and horse sank as if cast in iron, and his five fingers gripped the reins tightly like iron clamps. An overwhelming force burst forth from his arm!

"Neigh!" The yellow horse neighed in pain, its proud head forcibly lowered, its restless hooves seemingly nailed to the ground, no longer daring to move an inch. The horse trembled slightly, obediently lowering its head. Chen Gang and several constables watched clearly, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

The brute strength that Qi Yun just displayed is something that no ordinary youth could possess!
The last trace of carelessness Chen Gang felt because of the other party's youth vanished.

"I'm ashamed," Qi Yun said, regaining his balance with a slight embarrassment. "I've lived in the mountains for a long time, and this is my first time riding a horse. Please forgive my poor performance."

"Hahaha, no problem, no problem!" Chen Gang laughed heartily, mounted his mount, and rode alongside Qi Yun.

"Riding a horse is neither difficult nor easy. Master Qi only needs to remember: relax your waist and hips, rise and fall with the horse, look into the distance, and keep a firm grip on the reins!"

Slightly squeezing the horse's flanks with your knees will make it move forward or accelerate; pulling the reins backward will stop or slow it down; and gently tugging to the left or right will turn it. Want to try it?

Qi Yun did as he was told. He was physically strong and had a level of control over his body that was far beyond what ordinary people could achieve.

At first, the movements were a bit stiff, but within a few breaths, he had grasped the subtle rhythm of "rising and falling with the horse".

Horse riding and the stance training in Xingyi Quan have similar principles!

Relax your waist and hips naturally, and let your body sway slightly with the horse's gait, gradually becoming one with it.

The yellow horse seemed to sense that the person on its back had become more steady and coordinated, and its steps became lighter and more stable.

"Excellent! Master Qi is truly a genius; he understands everything at a glance!"

Chen Gang sincerely praised, his eyes filled with even greater admiration, "The Five Organs Temple truly lives up to its reputation as a blessed land of immortals. Its disciples are so young, yet their skills and demeanor are already so extraordinary! I admire them!"

"Officer Chen, you flatter me. My strength is nothing to boast about," Qi Yun replied modestly. The two rode side by side, their horses' hooves clattering on the cobblestones as they passed through the bustling streets, attracting the attention of passersby.

Before long, a grand and imposing mansion came into view.

The vermilion gate was over ten feet tall, with the two gilded characters "Xie Mansion" hanging high above the lintel, gleaming in the sunlight.

Two imposing stone lions sit in front of the gate, their eyes wide open in anger, and they are lifelike.

The white marble steps were so smooth they reflected a person's image, and several quick-witted doormen in blue robes and small hats were already standing in front of them.

Seeing everyone stop their horses, the gatekeepers trotted forward and skillfully took the reins. One of them even knelt on one knee, using his back as a stool, so that Qi Yun could step on his horse.

Qi Yun had never seen such kneeling service before and felt very uncomfortable, so he told the servant to get up and not to do it.

After dismounting, the gatekeeper took the reins, led the horse to a hitching post, and stood respectfully to the side.

Chen Gang led the way, and Qi Yun followed him through the gate. Suddenly, a bright and open space opened up before them.

The mansion was magnificent and far superior to the previous magistrate's residence.

The wide, bluestone-paved path stretches straight ahead, with winding corridors on both sides, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters.

The courtyard is deep and secluded, with craggy rock formations that look lifelike. The pond is crystal clear, and a few koi carp sway their tails leisurely.

Exotic flowers and rare herbs dot the landscape, while ancient trees, some requiring several people to encircle, reach for the sky, their branches and leaves forming a canopy that casts a dense shade.

Every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree is meticulously crafted, exuding grandeur and magnificence, yet within its opulent splendor lies a strict and authoritative official authority.

(End of this chapter)