Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds-Chapter 52: Face-Changing and Martial Arts

On the way back, the Silk Embroideress was very curious about Taoist Yan Song’s face-changing.

"Martial Uncle Yan Song, what was the deal with those masks?" the Silk Embroideress asked, curiously looking Taoist Yan Song up and down. "There were so many! Where do you hide them?"

Taoist Yan Song was still wearing his Primordial Scarf, but the back and sides were now covered with black cloth that tucked into his robes—a clear departure from his usual attire.

The Silk Embroideress had previously assumed Taoist Yan Song was just getting old and felt the cold, but now it was clear he had dressed this way specifically for the purpose of Magical Combat.

"Those are a type of mask, my own special trick," Taoist Yan Song said with a grin, leaning closer to the Silk Embroideress. With a simple shake of his head, a blue mask instantly materialized on his face.

The Silk Embroideress jumped in fright, letting out a small gasp and taking a step back.

Even with her cultivation-enhanced sight, she couldn’t see how Taoist Yan Song had suddenly put the mask on. She couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, "That’s incredible!"

Taoist Yan Song roared with laughter. He raised a hand, swept his sleeve across his face, and was back to his normal self.

"This is called face-changing, a unique art from my hometown. Back in the day, during hard times, many performers supported their families with this very skill," Taoist Yan Song explained.

Even in the internet age, where videos revealing the secrets of face-changing are all over the web, watching a live performance is still a stunning experience. It was even more so here in this ancient Otherworld.

What’s more, Taoist Yan Song had made his own modifications. By infusing it with a little Magical Power, he could switch between seven masks at will. If he were to perform this back on modern Blue Star, it would absolutely be considered a top-tier act in the art of face-changing.

Even the so-called "King of Face-Changing" would have to concede defeat. Anyone who knew how face-changing actually worked would be left completely baffled!

Thinking of this, Taoist Yan Song felt a surge of pride, already wondering when he could go back and show the Daoists of Qingcheng Mountain a thing or two.

Just like Gu Zhao, Taoist Yan Song wasn’t planning on going back and immediately showing off his Taiyi Wind and Fire. Instead, he knew it was this little sleight of hand, enhanced with Magical Power, that could truly capture people’s imaginations.

It wasn’t just the sheltered Daoists of Qingcheng Mountain. The Silk Embroideress and Bai Ke right now were utterly astonished, because Taoist Yan Song’s face-changing truly projected an aura of mystery, unpredictability, and dazzling skill.

"So why do you change your face during Magical Combat?" the Silk Embroideress asked, continuing her questioning.

"To build up my intimidation factor!" Taoist Yan Song chuckled, pointing at himself. "This old face of mine isn’t very threatening. People take one look and aren’t scared at all. But if an opponent sees me put on one of these terrifying masks during a fight, they’ll lose their nerve, and I’ll gain an advantage, won’t I?"

Bai Ke, "..."

Silk Embroideress, "..."

Bai Ke was at a loss for words. ’Why is everyone from Gu Zhao’s lineage so weird?’ he thought. ’When a real fight breaks out, you just blast them with Taiyi Wind and Fire. Who would dare to underestimate you then? Do you really need to use masks to scare them?’

The Silk Embroideress wasn’t experienced enough to think that far ahead. She just nodded, only half-understanding, and added, "You also changed your fa—...mask mid-fight."

"You have to match the mask to the Magic, of course," Taoist Yan Song said, glancing at Gu Zhao as he recited a little couplet. "The Blue-faced Wind God appears from the sky; the Red Fire God makes the world tremble."

Gu Zhao got it immediately. He gave Taoist Yan Song a thumbs-up and played along. "Now *that’s* what I call being a professional!"

The Silk Embroideress understood. "So, you used the blue mask when you summoned the wind and switched to the red one for the fire. But why did you change to the black one at the end?"

"Black means I’m about to go all out," Taoist Yan Song explained patiently.

The figure represented by the black mask is Zhang Fei. He’s known for being reckless and fierce, with his beard bristling in anger—a clear sign that one is about to use their full strength.

Perched on the Silk Embroideress’s shoulder, Bai Ke grew curious about what other tricks Taoist Yan Song had up his sleeve. "So, what other color masks do you have?" he asked. "Bring them out and let’s have a look, why don’t you?"

Taoist Yan Song didn’t seem to mind. He simply wiped a hand across his face, and it was replaced by a yellow mask.

It was yellow with black outlines and red accents, giving it a valiant and ferocious look.

"What does yellow represent?" Bai Ke asked.

"Yellow means I’m about to use my sword," Taoist Yan Song said, patting the weapon at his waist. "My Qingcheng Swordsmanship has several decades of training behind it, you know!"

Qingcheng Martial Arts was famous for its swordplay. Taoist Yan Song had indeed practiced for decades, mastering techniques like the Cloud Roaring Sword and Seven-Star Sword until they felt like an extension of his own arm.

Ten days ago, his swordsmanship might have been suitable only for personal cultivation and exercise—more for show than for defeating enemies. But now, with his skills honed to perfection, all he had to do was infuse his blade with Magical Power to slay demons and banish evil.

He had even brought the personal sword that had been with him for decades specifically for this battle.

"To uphold righteousness and act heroically, knowing Magic isn’t enough. You have to know some Martial Arts, too," Gu Zhao summarized.

Whether it was Ren Tianhe of the Golden Wind Divine Sect, the brocade-robed elder Lord Huang Ping from Three Extremes Mountain, or their recent target, the Corpse Ghost Xu Kongting—they were all Ghost Gods or Demons with Magical Power and command of Magic, but they hadn’t neglected their Body Techniques in the slightest.

In other words, the mainstream path of cultivation in this world was still the Dual Cultivation of Body and Skill.

"That’s right," Taoist Yan Song nodded. "But we’re no slouches either."

Daoists don’t seek a next life, only this one, so naturally they focus on physical health. Even the Zhengyi Dao, which practices the Contemplation Technique, also incorporates Qi Refining, routinely building up their strength and practicing Martial Arts to fortify their bodies.

There’s a tradition for this. Back when the Taiping Dao raised its banners and the Five Dou Rice Sect controlled its own territory, Daoists were the kind of people who could mount a horse, draw a sword, and cut down enemy generals to seize their flags!

That’s why Taoist Yan Song had practiced fist and sword techniques for decades, and why Gu Zhao had also learned Martial Arts from his grandfather. Now, with the addition of Magical Power and the huge boost to their physical condition, they naturally possessed close-combat abilities.

However...

"I think I can get even stronger," Gu Zhao said.

He thought about Lord Huang Ping’s savage ape form and how Xu Kongting had tried to shred them with his claws. Gu Zhao didn’t want to bet his life on all future opponents having weaker Magical Power and being unable to get close to him. Besides, as the saying goes, it’s easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow.

Taoist Yan Song understood what Gu Zhao meant. "While what your grandfather taught you might be a minor, local style of fist-fighting, it gave you a solid foundation. In the future, whatever Martial Arts you choose to learn, you’ll find it much easier."

"Hey, hey, hey? What do you mean ’a minor, local style’?" Gu Zhao protested. "White Crane Fist is hardly ’minor’ or ’local’. It’s one of the signature styles of Southern Fist." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"It’s not even on the official heritage list," Taoist Yan Song shot back. "If that doesn’t make it a minor style, what does?"

Gu Zhao snorted. "Hong Fist isn’t on the list either."

Taoist Yan Song shook his head. "Hong Fist isn’t on the list because it has too many branches and lineages, and they’re always in dispute. Besides, Hong Fist doesn’t need a list to prove its worth."

Gu Zhao couldn’t help but sigh. "The practitioners of White Crane Fist just aren’t stepping up!"

Taoist Yan Song chuckled and offered an idea. "Then you be the one to carry its banner. When you get back, just perform a White Crane Fist routine and manifest a White Crane Dharma Aspect. Let’s see who dares to look down on White Crane Fist after that."

Gu Zhao, "..."