Twilight Boundary-Chapter 751 - 742 Shousui Zhengdao
"Zhou Family Lord, Zhou Zhiming?"
At this moment, Hu Ma had no choice but to sheathe his sword and focus his gaze. Long before he saw the large-headed man guarding outside the town, he had already realized that this person was the Shousui sword-catching hall officer who, back in Shima Town, had led a group of small hall officers and terrified the One Coin Sect. Even someone of his skill could only guard outside the town. Therefore, guessing the identity of the person appearing inside the town wasn't difficult.
He inclined his body slightly in a salute, but his words were too hurried for pleasantries, "Him? To escort me?"
Even now, with some understanding of his own destiny and having been pursued by the Reincarnator several times, he still felt somewhat indifferent when facing the Ten Surnames.
The Zhou Family Lord said with a smile, "The State Preceptor stated, 'Young friend, these past few years you have suffered, experiencing what we have not, and shouldering responsibilities we have not borne. Now, with evil spirits seizing the Bridge and the world in turmoil, they have quietly resurfaced to once again bring disaster to the human world.' Young friend, you carry a significant karmic burden. I fear those evil spirits are already aware of your journey to Shangjing and will use every means to obstruct and harm you. For both public and private reasons, we must ensure your safety and escort you to Shangjing City."
"What you're all planning in Shangjing is your business. I'm merely here to escort the spirit back to its origin," Hu Ma replied. He listened to the Lord's words without a pleasant expression, stating coldly, "Besides, I have no connection with that State Preceptor. Why would he need to be so kind?"
Hearing the distinct lack of warmth in Hu Ma's tone, the Zhou Family Lord wasn't surprised. He chuckled. "Young friend, you may have no connection with the State Preceptor, but what about your connection with our Zhou Family?"
That was a strange question. Hu Ma glanced at this Zhou Family Lord. He knew this man was the most powerful Shousui in the world, perhaps without equal. As a Shousui himself, Hu Ma could naturally sense the immense, mountain-like pressure emanating from this seemingly gentle and smiling man.
He offered only a cool smile. "That makes it even more interesting. Considering my skills, I'm afraid I might have some enmity with the Zhou Family, wouldn't I?"
The Great Mighty Master of old had been at odds with the Yangming Zhou Family. Since Hu Ma followed the lineage of the Great Mighty Master, it stood to reason he would also be at odds with the Zhou Family. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't beaten up their daughter.
"It's not enmity, merely a dispute over dharma methods."
Hu Ma had already frankly admitted his identity as being from the lineage of the Great Mighty Master, but he hadn't expected this Zhou Family Lord to actually laugh.
The Lord waved his hand. "Behind closed doors, the Great Mighty Master and the Zhou Family's Life Nourishing Technique might contend for supremacy, to argue who is the true main lineage within the Shousui Sect. But when facing outsiders, we all walk the same path. Ultimately, it's all about seeking survival through destiny; there's no distinguishing between us."
As he spoke, he lightly brushed his robe and pushed open the door behind him. Beyond it, surprisingly, was a clean little courtyard, with no hanging human flesh or splattered blood. It seemed this man, upon arriving in town, had searched around and specifically chosen such a courtyard. Acting like a host, he invited Hu Ma to sit on a stone stool in the yard. His gaze was clear as he thoroughly examined the seated Hu Ma.
With a soft sigh, he continued, "Our Shousui Sect's abilities reside within ourselves, so our Path is more grounded than others. According to common understanding, a Shousui's Ascension progresses from birth to death, and then from death, life is refined anew. Limbs can be shed, the Five Organs replaced. Upon Entering the Mansion and nourishing the Divine Soul, even the head and skin can be changed. When it comes to Ascending the Bridge, the universe is vast and profound, one refines but a single thought. When the moment is ripe, with a single breath, one ascends the Bridge, no longer even needing this physical form. A single spiritual light is 'I,' roaming from the North Sea at dawn to Mount Cangwu at dusk—what freedom, what ease! Should one wish to return to the human world, innumerable physical bodies exist; which one could not offer sanctuary?"
Hmm?
That this Zhou Family Lord—Old Master Zhou of the Yangming Zhou Family and one of the most powerful Shousui in the world—would seek him out at such a critical juncture was surprising enough. For him to then not press other matters but instead discuss the Shousui Path was even stranger. Hu Ma was momentarily unsure of his true intentions.
Regarding what the man said, as a Shousui himself, Hu Ma couldn't help but consider it seriously. The Shousui dharma methods—starting from Refining Body, progressing to Soul Nourishment, and then to Abandoning Body—did indeed outline a clear and distinct Path. By Entering the Mansion, a Shousui gained the ability of possession. Subsequently, by pushing through the three Mansion Gates, their Divine Soul would strengthen, culminating in the cultivation of a Dharma Form. This power of possession would then become even greater.
However, what happened after pushing open the three Mansion Gates was vastly different from what this Lord described. According to his explanation, wouldn't all Shousui then become like 'ghosts,' free to roam as they pleased, needing no physical body, and simply finding someone to possess when they tired of wandering? In truth, Shousui generally felt that too many of their abilities were tied to their own bodies. Even if they possessed this skill, few actually resorted to possession. After all, possessing another body meant having to retrain all their unique skills—their own 'dog kennel,' as it were, was preferable to any 'golden or silver nest.' No Shousui had ever attempted the kind of Path he spoke of; not even the Zhou Family members, nor Master Ping, had ever mentioned it.
"It's a pity that while the principle is clear and the Path straight, it always proves impassable," Zhou Zhiming, the Zhou Family Lord, said with a smile to Hu Ma. "Shousui ultimately walk the Path of transcendence, refining their Dharma Form to transcend the mundane world and look down upon the human realm. However, Shousui cannot compare to other Paths; our bodies are too heavy, causing us to move slowly across the Bridge, unlike the lighter, quicker progress of others. This is also why the Zhou Family can train many Fierce Generals, who are peerless before Entering the Mansion, yet we remain exceedingly cautious when it comes to contending for dominion over the world."
Hu Ma was aware of this. The Yangming Zhou Family was not merely the home of Shousui. In fact, they could even be considered progenitors by various grasshead kings. Any one of their members, when brought out, was a Fierce General capable of dominating battlefields, their advantages in large-scale combat far surpassing those of other Paths. In this era of rising grasshead kings vying for supremacy, it should precisely be the time for the Shousui Sect to achieve fame and merit. Yet, looking at the current situation, while the shadows of noble families could be seen behind many grasshead kings, the Zhou Family's presence was notably limited, even appearing remarkably low-key. Still, why was this man telling him all this?
"The Yangming Zhou Family is the origin of Shousui, and no one would dare claim that the Righteous Skill of Shousui does not reside within the Zhou Family." The Zhou Family Lord, noticing Hu Ma's silence but seeing he was listening intently, smiled again. "However, I can tell you that this statement might not necessarily be true."
Hmm? Hu Ma was genuinely surprised now. This man, a leading figure among the Ten Surnames, Old Master Zhou, and arguably the most powerful Shousui in existence—perhaps without peer—had suddenly said such a thing?
"Those families who walk swiftly on the Bridge have all encountered roadblocks they cannot pass, and they suffer bitterly, constantly hoping for the Stone Pavilion Alliance to convene, hoping to find a Method to break through these obstacles," Zhou Zhiming sighed softly. "The Zhou Family is actually the same. The Path to transcendence is extremely difficult. So sometimes, I can't help but wonder if, within this Shousui Path, there are indeed other, more stable routes. For instance, like that of the Great Mighty Master?"
The esteemed Yangming Zhou Family actually held the dharma method of the Great Mighty Master in such high regard? Weren't the two supposed to be bitter rivals, constantly trying to denigrate each other?
"Alas..." Zhou Zhiming observed Hu Ma's expression, sighed again, and said, "To be honest, I somewhat regret it now. The Zhou Family was too overbearing in the past. If we hadn't been so eager to contend with that Great Virtuous Master for the Shousui orthodoxy back then, but had instead sat down for a discussion, perhaps the roadblock on the Shousui Path would have been overcome long ago. No one understood that Great Virtuous Master better than I. The Great Mighty Master's dharma method certainly holds extraordinary secrets. It's just a pity that I don't know if that man ever fully fathomed it. And now, young friend, you are the sole inheritor of the Great Mighty Master's dharma method. If you were to enter the Zhou Family's gates..."
Meeting his subtly gleaming eyes, Hu Ma suddenly understood. This old fellow, after all that talk, was also after his Great Mighty Sky General's Technique?
He shook his head. "I can't give it to you." Then, with a smile, he added, "However, Senior, since you are the head of the main family, why don't you take the initiative and impart the Zhou Family's dharma method to me?"
The Zhou Family Lord fell silent, looking at Hu Ma, who met his gaze calmly.
"Truly greedy..." Zhou Zhiming sighed. "Indeed, one of our Ten Surnames people."
With that, he abruptly changed the subject, saying softly, "The State Preceptor has already told us everything you've been through. Honestly, it was far beyond our expectations. We've long known that your Hu Family is ruthless, but we never imagined they would be so ruthless as to scheme using their sole bloodline. Your experiences are so bizarre and mysterious that, let alone the disciples of the Ten Surnames, even an old man like myself finds them truly hard to imagine. As for now, there's actually only one question I care about: Who... exactly are you at this moment?"
Hu Ma's eyes flickered slightly. He looked at Zhou Zhiming intently and asked, "What difference does it make?"
Zhou Zhiming spoke slowly, "Before the path of reincarnation was severed, there was the concept of a Second Life. It's said that a person has Three Ghosts: one soul reincarnates, one guards the corpse, and one is called 'karma.' When a lifetime ends and the seven souls disperse, one is reborn as a human. Because they are detached from the corpse-guarding karma, they have no memories of their past life. However, some individuals, through serendipitous encounters, meet their past-life soul or find that the separation was incomplete, thereby learning about the various aspects of their previous existence... Such individuals are known as a Second Life. Tell me, would such a person identify with their current life, or their past one?"
Hearing this, Hu Ma's heart stirred slightly. He smiled. "You're very concerned about this question?"
"It's not just me; many are concerned." Zhou Zhiming watched Hu Ma quietly. "This concerns how we should treat you. If you are merely a descendant of the Hu Family and also the Master of Zhensui Mansion, then I, this old man, should treat you with due respect. Setting aside our generational differences, I should even treat you as an equal. If those evil spirits, unwilling to suffer this setback, come looking for you, I should also assist you with all my strength and welcome you back to Shangjing. This is our duty as part of the Ten Surnames."
He paused for a moment before suddenly adding, "Even the matter of your marriage to my little daughter, Yingying—I can agree to it. The grand plan of Immortal Ascension... Your ranking is even ahead of mine..."
