The Young Swordsman of Dalu

In the eighteenth year of the Yuan Dynasty, the seventeen-year-old Ji Wuchang left Xizhou to visit martial arts masters all over the world.

Wherever he went, he would first issue a challenge to the martial artist he wanted to visit. If he won, he would leave and go elsewhere. If he lost, he would have to become the master of that person. Over the years, he had many masters and his kung fu improved by leaps and bounds.

When people achieve a little success, they inevitably become a bit arrogant and look down on others.

On this day, Ji Wuchang was worried about finding his next visitor. When he stopped to rest halfway through his journey, he met the person he had been searching for all his life in a teahouse—Master Qingyuan.

At that time, Master Qingyuan was traveling among the people. Wherever he went, he used his medical skills to treat the people and performed rituals for them free of charge. Master Qingyuan was very popular among the people.

Ji Wuchang was quietly drinking tea in a corner of the teahouse when Master Qingyuan entered. Upon seeing Master Qingyuan, all the tea drinkers stood up to express their respect for him.

Ji Wuchang was quite surprised. A Taoist priest who commanded such respect from these passing tea drinkers must possess profound skills. Ji Wuchang looked up at Master Qingyuan, who was sitting opposite him. Their eyes met, and Master Qingyuan politely smiled and nodded to Ji Wuchang, who nodded in return.

The two men drank tea in the teahouse. Ji Wuchang kept a close eye on Qingyuan Daoist's every move, feeling that this Daoist must be a highly skilled person.

After finishing his tea and resting for a while, Master Qingyuan left the money for the tea and got up to leave the teahouse.

Ji Wuchang quickly finished the tea in his cup, put the silver on the table, and followed Master Qingyuan away.

Ji Wuchang followed Master Qingyuan for a long time. As darkness fell, they arrived in the wilderness. Master Qingyuan went into a dilapidated temple, but Ji Wuchang did not follow. He was afraid that Master Qingyuan would discover him, so he sat on a stone stool outside the temple.

"Young man, come in. It's too cold outside at night," Master Qingyuan's voice came from inside.

Ji Wuchang walked into the temple feeling embarrassed, and was spotted by the Taoist priest.

"Master, you noticed me? I didn't mean to follow you," Ji Wuchang said embarrassedly.

"Young man, what brings you following me?" Master Qingyuan looked at Ji Wuchang with kindness.

"I saw that the tea drinkers in the teahouse treated you with great respect, and I was very curious. I suppose you must be a master with extraordinary skills, so I followed you here. Please forgive me, Master," said Ji Wuchang.

"The so-called venerable ones do not necessarily possess any extraordinary skills. I am just an ordinary person. I live among the people, not in a Taoist temple. I know their hardships and understand their pain. I am friends with them and as familiar as family. So when they see me, they feel as warm as if they have seen a family member," said Master Qingyuan calmly.

“In my opinion, the Taoist priest must be a highly accomplished person. I, Ji Wuchang, am willing to follow the Taoist priest all the way,” Ji Wuchang said.

“I’m used to being alone. Young man, you have your own things to do, so you should go by yourself,” Master Qingyuan said, refusing.

"Ji Wuchang will guard the gate for the Taoist priest outside." With that, Ji Wuchang walked out of the temple gate, holding a sword in his hand, and stood at the temple entrance.

"Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable." After saying this, Daoist Qingyuan closed his eyes and sat down to meditate.

Early the next morning, Master Qingyuan left the dilapidated temple and continued on his way, with Ji Wuchang following behind him.

Ji Wuchang had an idea. He wanted to find an opportunity to test Master Qingyuan's martial arts skills. He felt that it would be too disrespectful to Master Qingyuan to launch a surprise attack. How could he fight Master Qingyuan? Ji Wuchang couldn't think of a solution for a while.

They arrived at a village, where Master Qingyuan went to the villagers' homes to beg for alms. The villagers were very happy to see Master Qingyuan and offered him food. Master Qingyuan thanked the villagers, and Ji Wuchang also ate a meal with Master Qingyuan.

After the meal, the young people in the village who loved martial arts demonstrated a few moves in front of Master Qingyuan and asked him for some pointers. Master Qingyuan gave them pointers one by one and even taught them some new moves.

After resting for a while, they had to continue their journey, and the villagers were reluctant to see Master Qingyuan leave.

"We will meet again if fate allows." Master Qingyuan said, turning and leaving, with Ji Wuchang following him.

They entered a grove of trees. Ji Wuchang followed behind Daoist Qingyuan. He took a few steps and walked up to the Daoist.

"Master, please forgive my rudeness, but I challenge you," Ji Wuchang said.

“Youthful vigor is a good thing, but you must know how to restrain yourself at all times. I understand your thoughts, Ji Wuchang. It seems that even if I don’t compete with you, you will still follow me all the way. But after I compete with you, you promise not to follow me anymore. After all, I have heard that there is a Ji Wuchang in the martial arts world who has already taken many people as his masters,” said Daoist Qingyuan.

"So the Daoist Master already knew about this junior?" Ji Wuchang was very excited.

"Alright, let's begin!" said Master Qingyuan.

Ji Wuchang leaped into the air, landing above Qingyuan Daoist's head. He then turned and slashed at the Daoist, who stood still and flicked his whisk upwards with one hand. Ji Wuchang, who was falling vertically downwards, immediately lost his balance and fell to one side. After several rounds, Ji Wuchang had not been able to make close contact with Qingyuan Daoist.

Ji Wuchang was very dissatisfied. He drew his sword and thrust it at Daoist Qingyuan. Daoist Qingyuan turned around easily and instantly defused the crisis. After a few more rounds, Ji Wuchang was very annoyed. He could have hit him, but why did he dodge so easily in just a moment?

After more than a dozen rounds, Ji Wuchang was covered in sweat. Qingyuan Daoist seemed to have exerted little effort and said calmly, "Ji Wuchang, after we have fought, we shall part ways. You shall no longer follow me."

"I am willing to follow you, Master, and travel the world with you. Please accept me as your disciple!" Ji Wuchang knelt on the ground and said loudly.

"I, Ji Wuchang, have the right to refuse you. Don't force me." After saying this, Master Qingyuan turned and left.

Ji Wuchang's skin had become incredibly thick over the years! He didn't care about anything else; he just followed behind Daoist Qingyuan. Even though the Daoist ignored him, he would still occasionally try to curry favor with him.

After following Master Qingyuan for three months, Ji Wuchang finally moved Master Qingyuan with his loyalty in martial arts.

“Ji Wuchang, your swordsmanship has reached a level that is difficult for ordinary people to achieve, but your lightness skill is still lacking. Come back to Wuliang Mountain with me. There, I will help you take your lightness skill to the next level,” said Daoist Qingyuan.

"Thank you, Master!" Ji Wuchang expressed his deepest gratitude.

Back at Wuliang Mountain, Ji Wuchang diligently practiced martial arts under the guidance of Daoist Qingyuan. Hard work pays off, and three years later, Ji Wuchang's lightness skill improved significantly. Daoist Qingyuan also taught him a set of sword techniques, and his martial arts skills should have ranked among the top five in the Yuan Dynasty at that time.

One day, Master Qingyuan called Ji Wuchang to his side.

"Ji Wuchang, you should go down the mountain!"

"Master, I haven't mastered the skills yet, how can I go down the mountain?" Ji Wu said in a panic.

“You possess the unique skills of multiple sects. One should be content and know when to stop. I must tell you that I have three disciples: Wuyou from Nanshan, Wuyi from Beishan, and Li Chaoyang. You will inevitably encounter them after you leave the mountain,” Master Qingyuan said calmly.

"Master, what do you want me to do?" Ji Wuchang asked.

“Tell them to go their own way and not to worry about me. Go!” said Master Qingyuan.

Ji Wuchang, carrying his sword and bundle, descended Wuliang Mountain, looking back every few steps.

Wherever Ji Wuchang went, he fought for justice and rid the people of evil. From then on, the people had a new hero, Ji Wuchang, the Flying Knight of the Western Continent.

After descending the mountain, Ji Wuchang sought out Daoist Wuyou and Abbess Wuyi to test their martial arts skills. He had also sparred with Li Chaoyang for most of his life, but that's another story.