A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 48: Three Rules in Tongwen Hall

A person’s name, like a tree’s shadow!

Compared to that burly man who died just from a glance without understanding why, Yang Meng certainly knew how formidable Ninghai Zen was.

What does the title "Instructor" mean?

To teach martial arts, that is to "instruct"!

For tens of thousands to follow, that is to be a "leader"!

In the martial world, names are never given lightly or randomly.

To single-handedly suppress the fierce eagles, tigers, and leopards supported by the Fishery, Chai Market, and Fire Kiln.

The might and influence of Ninghai Zen is evident!

Let alone a Second Training Great Success, expert in Mercury Blood Silver Marrow.

Even if a Third-Practice Expert, expert in the Water and Fire Immortal Robe, came.

They might not dare to say "no" to the Instructor.

"Very sensible. I, Ninghai Zen, teach my students, and everyone knows the rules.

Within the same level, if there is conflict, life and death are not of concern.

Among peers, if there is a grudge, life and death are on one’s own responsibility."

Ninghai Zen extended two fingers, with a cold gaze:

"If anyone bullies the weak, I don’t mind stepping on their head to let them taste the feeling of being crushed."

Yang Meng’s eyelids twitched violently.

It’s said there’s no first in literature, no second in martial arts.

Then why does everyone in Black River County acknowledge the Instructor as the foremost leader?

The reason is simple.

As early as five years ago, Ninghai Zen had already stepped into the Fourth Training Major Barrier, starting the Perfect Heaven Circulation Qi Gathering!

Some speculate that he might complete the transformation from the mundane and break through the gate of the Dao Realm!

"My son’s death was his own doing; he can’t blame anyone else.

Please rest assured, Instructor, from today on, I, Yang, will avoid encountering your distinguished students."

Yang Meng took a deep breath, calming his trembling face, bowing his head so low it almost touched the ground, kneeling in a kowtow.

"Ah Qi, go light some incense.

Enemies should be reconciled, not created; when traveling outside, making friends is better than making enemies.

Throughout my life, I dislike fighting but excel at resolving conflicts. You should learn from your master how to conduct yourself in Jianghu, and you’re guaranteed to move forward without hindrance."

Ninghai Zen felt this matter was handled well, folding his arms while waiting for praise from his student.

My master truly understands how to use power to subdue...

Bai Qi slowly got to know the Instructor’s character, understanding that pure flattery gets tiring easily, appearing fawning and insincere. The key is to provide emotional value with skill to win favor.

"Master, you are right! But I think that because I am of low status and little skill, without your majestic spirit and heroic disposition,

I may not be able to earn the respect of those heroes and willingly form ties... I still need more honing!

By staying more beside you, Master, I can continue to improve!"

"You child, why do you always speak so frankly."

Ninghai Zen accepted it openly, quite pleased, much more comforting than having Ah Cheng around.

Bai Qi symbolically finished burning a stick of incense, turned and retreated to the back of his newly acknowledged master, his sideways glance caught sight of the hunched Yang Meng, and couldn’t help but sigh:

"Is this what it feels like to have backing? It truly is satisfying!

No wonder Old Liang went to such efforts to have me join the Great Martial Arts Hall and secure personal transmission."

Even if not gaining the Instructor’s attention, if replaced with Mu Chun from Broken Blade Sect or Zhu Wan from Divine Hand Sect, today’s outcome would still likely be the same.

Just a more troublesome process, emphasizing social niceties, like hosting some reconciliation banquets.

This is the benefit of joining the Great Martial Arts Hall and becoming a personal disciple.

Having a reputable master and a group of senior brothers to back you up, no one dares to underestimate you, nor can they easily control your life and death.

"When roaming in Jianghu, besides being able to fight, one must speak of influence and background."

As Ninghai Zen left the mourning hall, Bai Qi felt especially light-hearted.

With Yang Meng, the roadblock, no longer glaring at him, he could now act with less worry.

"You should quickly achieve First Training Great Success and kill Yang Meng."

Ninghai Zen suddenly spoke as he walked ahead:

"I am teaching you a second lesson: once you incur an enemy, never have the thought of reconciling.

If you can beat them, go straight to their door and beat them to death."

First Training Great Success?

And then beat to death Second Training’s Yang Meng?

Instructor, you truly don’t regard others as human!

Bai Qi was stunned for a moment, carefully digesting the Instructor’s words:

"Master, did you just have the intent to kill?"

Ninghai Zen, hands clasped behind his back, walked down the long street with an inexplicable air that seemed to raise him above the common crowd:

"Indeed, just now in the mourning hall, if Yang Meng had dared oppose even once, I would have killed him on the spot.

What a pity this old dog is clever, knows how to play the fool, so I can’t take advantage of my strength to bully him."

I’ll leave him to you."

Bai Qi’s face twitched, his heart stirred.

This master of his indeed acts very close to being "unrestrained and unconfined," emphasizing a crisp and decisive nature, without dragging things out.

Feeling that the "Instructor’s" reputation is so heavy, it’s likely due to the deep psychological impact left on those Third-Practice Experts when establishing rules for the martial arts community in Black River County.

Otherwise, Yang Meng, such an old hand, wouldn’t have so decisively surrendered.

"The grudges formed in the martial arts community often involve master-disciple relationships, making them complex, and eventually turning into deeply rooted, generational blood feuds, which is very troublesome.

In my opinion, it would be better to resolve it with life and death, to spare future generations from suffering.

Therefore, you should keep a clear account in your mind, remember the names of all your enemies clearly.

When your martial arts skills are high, kill them one by one, to avoid future harm.

Only then can you truly cut off the roots of worldly binders and achieve a state of freedom."

Ninghai Zen’s words were filled with murderous intent, yet profoundly spiritual.

Like a monk who takes lives, a high priest who cuts off karma.

"The disciple will remember."

Following the Instructor’s advice, Bai Qi thought over a "Book of Impermanence" in his mind.

The first two should be Yang Meng and Lin the Sixth.

The former is a thorn in the flesh that must be removed;

The latter, who has designs on his own younger brother, is no good person either.

"Oh, the murderous intent in your heart is not small, usually hidden quite deep.

Well well well, I spoke these words to your Senior Brother too, but he was too concerned with right and wrong, not hard enough."

Ninghai Zen raised his eyebrows, as if he could sense others’ emotional fluctuations.

"It doesn’t mean discerning right and wrong, clarifying black and white is incorrect.

It’s just that we ordinary people don’t have the ability of sages, can’t see clearly the rights and wrongs in the vast and diverse world.

Focusing on these easily entangles you in rules, making it hard to transcend the mundane.

If the heart has barriers, how can one be detached?"

Bai Qi bowed his head in deep thought, then spoke a sentence:

"If a person is not burdened by form, before them lies Daluo Heaven."

"Tsk tsk, these words have wisdom! You thought of this?"

Ninghai Zen stroked his chin, looked extra carefully at his just accepted disciple.

"Read it in a book."

Bai Qi held his spirit firm.

"No origin?"

Ninghai Zen seemed very interested.

"It came from an unknown half-page essay, probably has no origin."

Bai Qi answered.

"Well then, next time when debating with others, these words will be attributed to me, Ninghai Zen. What do you think?"

"...If Master can recognize the subtlety of this sentence, it’s like finding true gold and jade stones among sand and bricks, bringing them back into the light of day, though not the original work, but quite close."

Bai Qi’s face was full of sincerity, in serving his master, he’s quite professional.

"Tsk tsk, truly I almost regret meeting you so late, next time your Senior Brother returns, I will discuss with him about promoting you to Senior Brother, letting him be the Junior Brother instead."

Ninghai Zen felt joyful and sentimental, unexpectedly receiving such a disciple whose temper matches his own in Black River County.

As the two walked and talked, they quickly passed through Qiansi Sect, returning to the still quiet Tongwen Hall.

The old Dao in a mink hat saw Bai Qi, smiling warmly:

"Old Liang’s dim eyes could pick out a fine seedling like Ah Qi, truly not easy."

Bai Qi understood etiquette, arched his hand to the old Dao:

"A young boy born from a humble household, was lucky to be appreciated by Elder Liang, hence the life I have now.

And now joining Master Ning’s sect, it’s truly like a dream during the day."

The old Dao’s eyes softened a bit, children from poor families who make it always evoke sympathy and fondness.

Especially since Bai Qi has history with Old Liang, making it akin to being of one’s own kin, and now entering Tongwen Hall, deepening their connection.

"Old Dao, let him bathe and change clothes."

Ninghai Zen stood with hands behind his back, under the Golden Black Plaque of the main hall, shoulders spreading like mountains, waist standing like a mountain, his presence tremendously majestic.

"When you achieve your First Training Great Success, and kill Yang Meng, I will then bring you into Ancestor Hall, he is your first grindstone.

Just spoke with Yang Meng, and I, Ninghai Zen, have two rules for outsiders.

Now in front of you, saying it again, as my disciple, you must remember three.

This is not a constraint from the master, but the rules of Tongwen Hall—

First, all under Tongwen Hall must dedicate their marrow to the path of cultivation, unrelenting day and night, life and death without thought, to reach the zenith of the world!

Second, when encountering those who block the path or challenge, must hold a heart of fearless and emotionless, regardless of them being Divine Buddha or demons, must use all efforts to kill, to prove this body’s cultivation!

Third, eyes do not see the temptation of rank and wealth, ears do not hear the coercion of power and face, without any bounds, pursue the Dao between heaven and earth!"