Chapter 46: The Choice of Martial Practice

  Liu Qi's heart suddenly felt at ease upon hearing his father's words, it seemed that his father wasn't oblivious after all and knew that Jing was innocent, but family matters were hard to resolve, which is why he was being indecisive.

  "Father, this matter was actually started by Shao Yu, who destroyed all the things in Jingdi's room. So it's understandable that Jingdi is furious. Father, I think it's unfair to drive him out of the house just like this, mother handled it unjustly."

  Liu Qi never dared to say that his stepmother was wrong, but this time he mustered up the courage to accuse Madame Cai of being unfair in handling the matter, which contained a hint of dissatisfaction with her favoritism towards his younger brother.

  Liu Biao sighed, "Letting Jing'er move out to live was actually my intention, but my original intention was to let him move out to live, arrange a house for him, solve his food and lodging, and then talk to him in detail. It's absolutely not the result of today. To be honest, I'm also heartbroken. After all, he is my nephew. How can I explain this to his deceased father?"

  "What does Father plan to do?" Liu Qi asked as tactfully as possible.

  Liu Biao was indeed in a difficult situation, he had gradually become aware of the contradictions between his nephew and wife, and he also understood that Liu Xuan being driven away today was an injustice, but... ...he couldn't possibly quarrel with his wife for Liu Xuan's sake, family affairs were hard to mediate, and he deeply felt this.

  After a moment of contemplation, Liu Biao said: "You go and comfort him for me! Arrange his food and lodging properly, and also tell him that I have taken note of this in my heart and will not treat him unfairly in the future. Let him understand my difficulties."

  "The child will definitely take good care of him, arrange his food and accommodation, and besides, the child also has a suggestion."

  "What advice do you have, speak up!"

  "The child's intention is to find something for Brother Jing to do, such as arranging a job for him. This way, when he moves out to live, it will be natural and won't cause gossip outside, and he can also feel his father's kindness."

  "Do you think it's possible?" Liu Biao asked.

  Liu Qi nodded, "He has participated in the war to destroy Zhang Wu, and he is mature beyond his years. He can fully take on ordinary military duties, more importantly, he killed Zhang Wu and made a meritorious achievement. Father was promoted due to his merit, which is also very normal, no one will say anything."

  Liu Biao walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, and the suggestion of his eldest son Liu Qi moved him. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Alright! Let me think about this matter again."

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  Longzhong is about twenty miles west of Xiangyang, from the west gate of Xiangyang City, after walking seven or eight miles, it will be Tanxi, and then walk straight west for more than ten miles to reach Longzhong.

  Longzhong is located south of the Han River, only twenty miles away from Xiangyang. Although it has long been Liu Biao's territory, in the administrative division of the Han Dynasty, it belongs to Fan City County, Nanyang Prefecture on the opposite bank of the Han River.

  So historically, Zhuge Liang actually lived in seclusion in Nanyang or Xiangyang, the controversy lies here. Zhuge Liang said in "Out of the Warring States" that he was farming in Nanyang, because Longzhong belonged to Nanyang County, but his life and social circle were all in Xiangyang.

  Liu Xuan arrived in Longzhong at dusk and found a clean inn to stay in. To his delight, the Qingzhu Pavilion was just two miles west of the town, and everyone in the town knew about it, making it easy to find.

  "This is your first time coming to Longzhong, isn't it, young master?"

  The owner of the inn was a middle-aged man in his forties, plump and white, with a friendly smile, and very talkative. He led Liu Xiu to the room with an oil lamp in hand.

  Liu Xuan led his precious horse behind its master, he had learned a lesson, his warhorse needed him to take care of it personally and couldn't be handed over to the stable.

  "Hmm! First time in Longzhong."

  "What does the young master think of Zhong Lun?"

  "The mountains are clear and the water is beautiful, the scenery is picturesque, and the folk customs are simple and honest, it's a great place."

  "Haha! Our Longzhong is not only picturesque with its mountains and rivers, but also a gathering place for talented scholars. The famous Boling Academy of the Pang family is located in Longzhong, where renowned scholars such as Sima Hui, Pang Degong, Zhuge Liang, Xu Yuanzhi, and Cui Zhouping all converged."

  "In a few days, the streets of Longzhong Town will be filled with scholars. Luckily, there is a vacant room today. If you had come a few days earlier, there wouldn't have been any rooms available, as they would all have been occupied by students."

  "Why is this?"

  "A few days ago, Master Shuijing publicly recruited disciples, and over a thousand scholars from all over Jingzhou rushed to join him. That's what you call lively! As a result, all the inns are fully booked, including the Qingzhu Pavilion where Young Master wants to go, which is also packed with people who want to become Master Shuijing's disciples."

  Liu Xuan nodded, he also knew that more than a thousand scholars from the north fled to Jingzhou to avoid war and made Jingzhou the last paradise for northern scholars. Because of the Pang family's Lumen Academy in Longzhong, it became the general assembly place for northern scholars.

  "Alright, it's here, young master, please!"

  The owner of the store led Liu Xuan to a small courtyard, which was an independent house with two rooms inside. The courtyard was surrounded by walls as high as one person, and Liu Xuan rented it for 20 cents a day, which was not expensive at all.

  "Thank you, boss. I'll entrust it to you tomorrow afternoon."

  "Don't worry! At 4:00 tomorrow morning, I'll definitely wake you up."

  The shop owner handed the oil lamp to Liu Xuan and went back to the front yard. Liu Xuan led the horse into the courtyard, which was very quiet. An old locust tree leaned against a corner of the courtyard wall like an old man with a hunchback.

  Liu Xuan blew out the oil lamp and sat down on a large stone in the courtyard, gazing up at the starry sky. His heart was in turmoil, for since he had come to this era, his heart had never been calm.

  It wasn't until then that he finally calmed down and carefully observed the night sky of the Three Kingdoms era. The night sky of the Three Kingdoms was no different from later generations, but who knows how many secrets were still hidden in this endless universe?

  A shooting star streaked across the sky, and Liu Xuan couldn't help but let out a low sigh, perhaps it was another soul that had traversed two thousand years.

  Will he be back?

  If he can't go back, where should he go in this era of swords and horses?

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  Longzhong is located in a hilly area west of Xiangyang, with several temples and small towns scattered among the mountains and valleys. The local customs are simple and honest, the roads are clean and tidy, and it seems like a secluded paradise forgotten by the wars.

  Before the fifth watch, Liu Xuan rode his horse to a small path outside Qingzhu Temple. The temple was built on the mountain, with a large bamboo forest covering hundreds of acres behind it. A small stream flowed gently from the side of the temple, making it a place where spiritual energy gathered.

  Liu Xuan still had over a hundred steps to go before reaching Lidao Pavilion, but he suddenly dismounted his horse and led it forward slowly. It was the darkest hour of the night, and all around him was quiet.

  Before long, Liu Jing arrived in front of the Taoist temple. On the left side of the gate, there was a small pine forest, and on the slope, the outline of a pavilion could be vaguely seen.

  Liu Xuan led the horse up the mound, and from a distance he saw a thin figure in the pavilion. Liu Xuan's heart was stirred with excitement, and he quickly walked closer to the pavilion. Inside the pavilion sat an old Taoist priest with his legs crossed, who was none other than Yu Zhenren, whom he had met yesterday.

  Liu Xuan released his horse and walked into the pavilion, kneeling down and kowtowing respectfully. "Junior Liu Xuan pays respects to the true man!"

  Yu Zhenren slowly opened his eyes and smiled slightly: "Did you stay in Longzhong yesterday?"

  "Yes! Junior arrived at Longzhong last night, and the gate of Xiangyang City will open at noon. Came over in the morning, couldn't make it."

  "You've had a tough time."

  Yu Zhenren took out a small purple jade bottle from his bosom, poured out a medicinal pill the size of a longan fruit, and handed it to him along with a wine gourd. "Chew the medicine into pieces and drink it down with wine."

  Liu Jiong was stunned for a moment, and then it started, without any prelude, should he say something?

  But his stunned expression only lasted for a brief moment, and soon he calmly accepted this beginning, indeed there was no need to say anything more, everything had already gone smoothly.

  Liu Jing restrained the excitement in his heart, took over the medicine pill and wine pot, gently pinched the medicine pill into powder, a strong fragrance wafted up, which seemed to contain musk.

  He put the medicine in his mouth, lifted the wine gourd and took a few big gulps. The wine was not ordinary, a pungent and unbearable spiciness surged into his mouth, just like eating a ball of mustard, his eyes and nostrils were filled with spicy air, almost choking him to spit it out, but Liu Xuan still endured it, slowly swallowing the medicine and wine into his belly.

  Yu Zhenren saw him finish taking the medicine, a smile appeared on his face, not bad, this kid can actually withstand it, it's a good start.

  He picked up a half-brick from beside him, and with a smile said: "There's another half-brick outside the west gate of Xiangyang, right next to the city gate. Go get it for me, I'll give you half an incense stick's worth of time, remember, only half an incense stick."

  Liu Jie carefully looked at the brick's appearance, turned around and ran wildly, back and forth for over 40 miles, he only had half a time, this is equivalent to the semi-marathon of later generations, he wanted to run into the ranks of masters.

  "Runs pretty fast!"

  Yu Zhenren walked to the side of the pavilion with his hands behind his back, gazing far away at Liu Jing's fleeing figure, a knowing smile spreading across his face. This child may not speak much, but he is very clever; without riding a horse ahead, he actually guessed his intention! The young can be taught indeed!

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  Liu Xuan's entire body was burning like fire, as if his internal organs were going to be burned out. This kind of pain could only be slightly alleviated by running desperately.

  At this time, Liu Jiong could no longer feel any fatigue. He only had one thought: run! Run desperately!

  In the darkness before dawn, a figure was running rapidly in the wilderness west of Xiangyang.

  Half a time gradually arrived, and the Yu Zhenren who was sitting with his legs crossed slowly opened his eyes again. In the hazy morning mist, he saw a figure rushing from afar, holding half a green brick in his hand, panting heavily. A relieved smile appeared on Yu Zhenren's face - not bad, this child had passed the test.

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  "I started taking in disciples from the age of four or five, gradually building and cultivating them, but unfortunately, among the dozens of disciples I took in, only two ultimately succeeded, while the rest mostly became mediocre, wasting decades of my time."

  Later on, I met Zilong, but unfortunately he was already 14 years old and couldn't start from scratch. However, I felt that we had a connection and didn't want to give up on him, but how should I teach him?

  This problem has been very tricky, so I thought about it for seven days and nights in the Luofeng Guanzang Pavilion, and finally came up with a bold plan. Maybe I can tap into the unknown power within Zhao Yun's body.

  From then on, I used a brand new method to cultivate Zi Long, and in the end, I proved that I was successful. It only took me five years to cultivate a hunting boy into the world's top master, of course, this has something to do with his superhuman talent.

  Gongzi, you started building your foundation at the age of 16, and Zi Long will be two years later. Although you also have extraordinary talents, your physique has grown up and is not like Zi Long who was still growing up back then.

  "So I've given you a different configuration of medicine, which is even more potent than the one I gave to Zi Long. Honestly, I can't guarantee its success. You need to make a decision: are you willing to take this risk?"

  In the pavilion, Yu Zhenren gazed at Liu Xuan, his clear eyes filled with sincerity.

  "What if it fails?" Liu Xuan asked in a low voice.

  "If you fail, you will be paralyzed for life."

  Liu Jiong nodded without hesitation, "I would rather die than spend the rest of my life in mediocrity."