Narration System for the Journey of Martial Arts

Dugu Ming laughed nonchalantly and said, "Does the master know why I indulge in sensual pleasures and linger among brothels?"

Shi Wuzun asked, "To paralyze the city...that person?"

Dugu Ming shook his head and said:

"This is just one of them."

"On the other hand, only in this way can I get close to the scions of several powerful clans in Wushuang City, and only in this way can they be completely unguarded and lower their guard against me."

"Over the past six months, I have secretly gathered dirt on many people and discovered some talented individuals. Only in this way can my sudden rise to power ensure a smooth transition in Wushuang City and prevent any unrest."

“Master, I originally had no such intention. Although that person is not my father, he has been quite devoted to me over the years. But things are different now.” Dugu Ming said to Shi Wuzun.

Before Venerable Shi Wuzun could speak, he had already turned his head to look into the distance and said:

"In recent years, the Northern World Society has suddenly risen to prominence, and has already taken over almost half of the territory. Given Xiong Ba's ambition, I'm afraid he will not stop at the North."

"The man in the city is more than capable of maintaining the status quo, but he may not be able to withstand Xiong Ba. The Dugu family's legacy cannot be allowed to crumble like this."

"Besides, I also promised you, sir, that I would protect the peace of this region. As a disciple, I will keep my word."

"So, Master, please help me!"

Shi Wuzun nodded heavily and said, "Young City Lord, in the martial world, strength is paramount. With our martial arts skills, I'm afraid we won't be able to subdue that person. Once he escapes, we'll have no chance left."

Dugu Ming laughed and said, "I have made some progress in my studies these days, and I would like to ask the master for some guidance."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dugu Ming's feet seemed to tread on clouds, his right leg rising like a green dragon emerging from the sea, the fierce energy directly aimed at Shi Wuzun's face.

In the blink of an eye, Dugu Ming was already within arm's reach. The fierce energy and awe-inspiring divine might pressed down on him, making his reaction three beats slower.

Fortunately, he was experienced in martial arts battles. He put his hands together and used the move "Buddha Embracing the Heart" to dissipate the energy between his palms, which was as smooth as a millstone.

Dugu Ming simply smiled, and with a kick that combined both strength and grace, he fiercely struck at Shi Wuzun. Before Shi Wuzun could even parry, his attacks had already transformed into dozens of kicks in an instant, like a storm. In a moment, the entire mountainside was filled with booming sounds, and the overflowing energy swept away Shi Wuzun like a whirlwind.

Faced with Dugu Ming's domineering and continuous leg force, Shi Wuzun had no time to react before he was enveloped by countless leg shadows. The millstone-like energy in his palm shattered instantly. Just as his expression was about to change, the violent leg force suddenly transformed into a gentle force that flowed along his feet toward the ground.

With a loud "boom," the ground within five feet of where Shi Wuzun stood automatically collapsed by more than two feet, as if he were standing in a deep pit.

"Master, please forgive me," Dugu Ming said, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.

Shi Wuzun couldn't help but smile wryly, looking at the boy standing there, seemingly motionless. He had never imagined that this boy, who was only fourteen or fifteen years old, already possessed such martial arts skills.

But he also felt much more confident about what the two of them were planning.

Dugu Ming gestured, and Shi Wuzun bowed with his hands clasped together, grasped Dugu Ming's outstretched right hand, and leaped out of the deep pit.

"Does the young city lord have any plans?" Shi Wuzun asked.

Dugu Ming rattled off a list of names. Among them were members of other major clans in Wushuang City, some of whom were frustrated and unsuccessful, while others were suppressed because of their collateral branches. There were also generals from the Wushuang City garrison, as well as merchants from the city.

Seeing that Dugu Ming was not acting alone but had a plan, Shi Wuzun felt even more confident.

Finally, Dugu Ming smiled and said:

"Don't worry, Master, I'm not going to make a move right now. I will remain patient until I am absolutely certain of success."

"Furthermore, I need to find out something!"

"I wonder what the young city lord is referring to?" Shi Wuzun asked.

Dugu Ming pondered for a moment, then said:

"He's not my father, so why does he only dare to let me go down this path, but doesn't dare to directly attack me? In fact, he doesn't even have a child on the surface?"

"There must be something that he's worried about."

Master Shi Wuzun frowned and pondered for a moment, then raised his eyebrows and said, "Perhaps, the monk knows."

Seeing the look in Dugu Ming's eyes, Shi Wuzun said:

"I once heard that the city lord was able to hold his position because the Dugu family had a martial arts master whose skills were unparalleled in the world."

"But later, due to some reasons, he went into seclusion and never came out again."

"Does the master know his whereabouts?" Dugu Ming asked hurriedly.

Master Shi shook his head and said, "It is said that the martial arts master suffered a terrible defeat back then and has never appeared in the martial arts world since. As for where he went into seclusion, no one knows. But I think that person must know."

He then added, "Even if that person refuses to speak, I think there might be records in the city lord's mansion. We can search slowly and eventually find some clues."

Dugu Ming narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then said with a smile:

"It would be good if I could find him, but it doesn't matter if I can't. With my current level of martial arts skills, I'm not afraid of not being able to defeat him."

"People still have to rely on themselves."

“Amitabha!” Venerable Shi Wuzun laughed, “Moreover, the young city lord also has that Daoist Su to rely on.”

Dugu Ming shook his head and said, "Mr. Su won't take action. We'll have to handle this ourselves."

At this point, he took out a book from his pocket and handed it to Master Shi Wuzun, saying, "This is what I obtained from Mr. Su. It is said to be a Buddhist divine skill, which should be of some help to you, Master."

"Oh?" Shi Wuzun reached out and took it, only to see the three big characters "Yi Jin Jing" on the cover.

"This is... Shaolin's Yi Jin Jing!" Shi Wuzun exclaimed in surprise.

Dugu Ming nodded, then shook his head, and said, "According to Mr. Su, this is just a fragment of the Yi Jin Jing."

Seeing the joy on Shi Wuzun's face, he held back and didn't tell Shi Wuzun the truth.

After all, Su Yuchen had said with a look of disdain when he talked about Shi Wuzun that day: "He lacks talent and comprehension. Even if he wastes his whole life, he will never be able to comprehend the mysteries of the Yi Jin Jing. This incomplete version is still worth practicing."

Chapter 542 Dugu Ming's Fortuitous Encounter

Time flies, and Su Yuchen has been staying in Wushuang City for more than two years.

Over the past two years, Su Yuchen taught with complete freedom, while Dugu Ming became obsessed and frantically absorbed everything Su Yuchen taught him.

No one knows what kind of thoughts and ambitions lie within such a gentle and refined young man.

"Sir, the World Society, located far away in the Tianshan Mountains, is growing stronger. Xiong Ba's disciples Qin Shuang and Bu Jingyun have successively led the battle. Now, many sects in the north have joined the World Society and become its branches."

"Master Shi reports that the World Society's spies have been discovered in the city, but they have all been eliminated."

The teenager, having endured years of learning and patience, has reached his limit with counterfeits and now craves your approval.

Su Yuchen asked calmly, "What do you want to say?"

Dugu Ming lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before looking up and saying, "Sir, you should also know this! That person is not my father."

Su Yuchen nodded.

Dugu Ming gave a bitter smile and said:

"As I suspected, sir, you knew."

"Actually, you knew a long time ago, didn't you? I was worried for a long time back then, afraid that you came to Wushuang City with other intentions, which is why you came to me."

"Sir, that person is doing quite well now. Although Wushuang City is not as good as before, it has not completely fallen."

"But I can see clearly that although this person is not bad, in terms of ability, he is far inferior to Xiong Ba of the World Society. He is good at maintaining the status quo, but not good at conquering.

"If he were to face the Heavenly Alliance, I fear he would be unable to handle it. What should I do?"

………………

Su Yuchen glanced at him and asked calmly, "I only have four questions."

"Please ask, sir." Dugu Ming bowed deeply.

"First, with your current martial arts skills, are you confident you can defeat him?"

Dugu Ming thought for a moment and said, "I have been observing him for the past two years. His internal energy cultivation method and martial arts moves are the same as what I learned. As for whether he has any other hidden martial arts, I am not sure. However, I also have the Dragon Subduing Palm as a backup plan."

"Secondly, do you think you could do a better job than him if you were in his position?"

Dugu Ming respectfully said, "I dare not speak of anything else, but in terms of the talent for governing the world, although I am not as talented as Zhuge Liang, I am still first-rate in this era. And for all this, I must thank you for your guidance, sir."

"Third, can you guarantee that it won't cause internal strife in Wushuang City, thus benefiting others?"

Dugu Ming said:

"I have learned the art of diplomacy and the art of discerning people's hearts. Over the years, I have also secretly won over half of the garrison forces of Wushuang City."

"In Wushuang City, the only ones who can influence the disciples are the Ming family and Master Shi. The Ming family only protects Wushuang City and will not get involved in the affairs of the Dugu family; Master Shi will definitely stand on the disciples' side."

Fourth, what do you plan to do with him?

Dugu Ming remained silent for a long time before saying:

"After all, he raised me to adulthood. Over the years, although he deliberately indulged me and wanted me to become a spoiled brat, I cannot fail to repay the kindness of his upbringing and the responsibility of protecting me."

"As long as he behaves himself, I will never kill him and will allow him to stay in Wushuang City to live out his days in peace."

………………

Su Yuchen smiled and asked, "Are you sure he'll behave himself?"

Dugu Ming bowed and said:

"This disciple understands what you mean, Master. In the martial world, everything is based on strength. Only with overwhelming strength can this disciple keep him in line."

Su Yuchen looked at him and said:

"The Nine Yang Manual is a divine skill that balances Yin and Yang, but if you don't reach the final level, you will inevitably lose its Yin nature. When you use it, you will be too forceful and push it too hard. If you push your true energy to the limit, you will easily lose all your true energy and all your martial arts skills."

"When I told you about this weakness back then, you hesitated. You're quite talented, so of course you're not afraid of not being able to reach the highest level."

Dugu Ming bowed and said:

"I fear that something might go wrong, and if I act carelessly and that person discovers my plan, I will have to act in advance."

"And the disciple must not be defeated."

Su Yuchen smiled and praised:

"So I gave you a second option, to take the unorthodox path, first practice the most Yang mental cultivation method, then practice the most Yin mental cultivation method. With the Yin and Yang clashing, your internal strength will naturally progress extremely quickly."

"But this also has a drawback: day and night, one suffers from the pain of internal energy clashing, and at noon every day, the whole body aches as if pricked by needles."

"I originally thought you were too young and didn't know how dangerous things were, but I didn't expect you to endure it for two years without ever showing a single flaw."

Dugu Ming didn't even flinch as he respectfully said, "My teacher once taught me: 'When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will, strain their muscles and bones, starve their body, leave them destitute, and thwart their endeavors, so as to strengthen their resolve and increase their abilities.'"

Su Yuchen nodded and looked at him, saying:

“You have learned very well. In a prosperous era, you are capable of governing the country; in a chaotic era, you are capable of being a powerful minister.”

"Now that you have suffered for two years, it has not been in vain. Today I will help you to harmonize water and fire, and to unite dragon and tiger."

With a flick of his sleeve, Su Yuchen sent a stream of true energy into Dugu Ming's Tanzhong acupoint, without Dugu Ming's unwavering gaze.

Dugu Ming suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. The true qi in his body, which was originally distinct in yin and yang, had been automatically activated when that true essence came to him. When the two true qi flowed to the Tanzhong acupoint, they were hit hard by Su Yuchen's true essence, and yin and yang merged into one.

With a loud 'boom' in his ears, Dugu Ming felt as if he had gone deaf. The true energy within his body was a unity of yin and yang, combining strength and gentleness, and he could wield it at will. The injuries caused by the clash of yin and yang within his body were healing at an extremely fast speed.

Dugu Ming only slightly moved his mind, and his true energy followed, making it many times easier than before. Moreover, every move he made was accompanied by immense power.

After a long time, all the true energy in his body returned to one, yin and yang were in harmony, dragon and tiger met, and he went towards the unknown.

Dugu Ming seized the opportunity that lay in the darkness, his mind and spirit united, remaining still and unwavering, letting his true energy rush into the Baihui point on the top of his head, and then spread throughout his body. After a full cycle, the circulation of true energy became even faster.

In the darkness, with mind and spirit united, Dugu Ming channeled his true energy into an unknown part of his body, and with a 'hum,' a burst of light unfolded.

With your help, Dugu Ming can master the Nine Yang Divine Skill, where Yin and Yang complement each other, and the dragon and tiger unite.

[Having seized this opportunity, he grasped a crucial point in the universe, broke through a mysterious barrier, and stepped into the realm of a Grandmaster of Martial Arts.]

Su Yuchen watched quietly for a moment, then looked up at the outside of Wushuang City. It was time to meet the Sword Saint.

………………

After a long time, when Dugu Ming came to his senses from the darkness, he felt the abnormality in himself: his true energy was in harmony with his body, flowing through the Great Circulation without any hindrance; without turning around, within his mind, the area within a radius of seven zhang was as clear as the lines on his palm.

Suddenly, his mind went blank. He looked up and saw Su Yuchen standing there, but his consciousness was completely blank.

Su Yuchen ignored the shock in his eyes:

"This is just a normal performance of you having initially mastered your divine sense and stepped into the realm of Grandmaster. Once your Qi, spirit, and mind are fully integrated, your divine sense will be even stronger. It will be beneficial in both combat and cultivation."

Knowing that he was about to leave, Su Yuchen patiently explained some uses of divine sense to the boy.

………………

"I'll take you to see someone."