Chapter Seventy-Three: A Searing Sight to Behold

Zhang Yichao's punch, thrown from mid-air, was awe-inspiring, stirring up a wild gust that sent He Chang'an stumbling and made Lord Zheng's robes billow fiercely. Yet, as the force approached within three feet of the old scholar, it softened to a gentle breeze, brushing past his face and merely making his grey beard and hair flutter ever so slightly.

Startled, Zhang Yichao tried to strike again but was promptly kicked by Lord Zheng, tumbling headlong into the Demon Subduing Tower.

"Master Lu, I must apologize," Lord Zheng said, bowing with hands clasped in regret. "My little sister Zheng is lacking in discipline, and has offended you. I beg your forgiveness."

"Think nothing of it," Master Lu replied, gazing at the Demon Subduing Tower with a sigh. "General Zhang commands the Tang Western Territories; without a bit of fire in him, how could he lead an army? I think it's all well and good. But why is Miss Red Sleeve avoiding me? What reason can there be?"

Lord Zheng chuckled, "Red Sleeve is gentle and demure. Lately, she's taken a liking to needlework."

"That's good, that's good. The saying 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' is wrong," Master Lu said with a kindly smile, glancing up once more at the tower.

From a window on the seventh floor, Miss Red Sleeve poked out half her body, shaking her fist and making faces at the old scholar, her mouth forming words that looked suspiciously like "miserly old man"...

The old scholar laughed heartily, took a book from his breast, and waved it in his hand. "See? Miss Red Sleeve truly understands decorum. No wonder she's advanced so quickly to the third rank of the Martial Path. But, my dear, bulking up your muscles with such rigorous training isn't the most ladylike. Be careful you don't scare away any suitors. This 'Spring Dawn'—I think it's just right for you."

"'Spring Dawn Sword Manual'?" Lord Zheng's expression changed slightly as he glanced at the book, hesitating to speak; but Red Sleeve, as lively as a scarlet butterfly, flitted over, snatched the 'Spring Dawn Sword Manual,' and beamed with delight.

"Old man, thank you for the sword manual!" Her pretty face overflowed with happiness, but she teased, "But don't get any ideas! I won't marry some old codger."

Master Lu burst out laughing, while Lord Zheng's cheeks flushed.

He Chang'an was completely baffled.

The Jade-Faced Fox looked on with envy, waving her pink paws and wagging her three tiny tails with such eagerness—she was clearly a fawning sycophant... ahem, fawning fox.

"Master Lu, isn't 'Spring Dawn Sword Manual' one of the Daoist school's supreme arts..." Lord Zheng stepped forward, his expression grave.

Master Lu smiled, glancing at Miss Red Sleeve. Deep crow's feet etched his kindly eyes, and his tone was gentle: "There's no need for concern, Miss Red Sleeve. 'Spring Dawn' was given to me by Master Li Qinglian. Study it at your leisure."

Lord Zheng's mouth twitched and his thoughts ran wild: "Given Master Li's temperament, unless he'd been utterly bested, he'd never give away anything. And this is one of the three great sword manuals of the Daoist school..."

Master Lu seemed to read his thoughts. He turned his gaze upon Lord Zheng, his face growing cold.

Lord Zheng froze, about to speak, but was startled into obedience when Master Lu commanded, "Little Zheng, come here." Meekly, he walked over.

"What does it mean to judge a gentleman's heart by the measure of a petty man?" Master Lu asked.

"It means using a base man's mind to guess at a gentleman's intentions..." Lord Zheng replied.

"Wrong."

Master Lu drew a ruler from his sleeve, regarding Lord Zheng quietly.

Lord Zheng grimaced, muttering under his breath, but obediently extended his left hand, palm up.

Smack. Smack. Smack.

Three crisp strikes landed on his palm. Lord Zheng's fair, handsome face twitched with pain, his left hand trembling from the sting.

"Did your teacher never tell you such basic principles?" Master Lu asked.

Lord Zheng forced a sheepish smile.

"Very well. Next time I see him, I'll explain what it means to be a teacher. Just look at you—letting an old man smack your hand without even the slightest resistance. Clearly, your teacher hasn't taught you well; he hasn't even shown you the simplest martial truths, like 'meet force with force, the pure breeze and bright moon upon the hill.' It's a disgrace to his students!"

Master Lu continued his lecturing, leaving He Chang'an completely lost, while Lord Zheng and Miss Red Sleeve listened with utmost seriousness.

The old scholar spoke for a time, until his throat was dry, then finally fell silent and turned to He Chang'an. "Let's head to the academy now and give those penniless scholars a thrashing."

...

The scholars at the academy were not beaten. On the contrary, they were overjoyed. Though they sat upright on the hard benches of the lecture hall, their eyes were alight with expectation as they watched Master Lu.

Even Dean Zhao Zheng, usually so stingy, brought out three jars of aged wine. Smiling broadly, he broke the seals and poured a large bowl, saying, "Sir, have some wine!"

Master Lu eyed Zhao Zheng with some disdain but took the bowl, saying solemnly, "I've sworn off wine for many years now. Look at you all, always tempting me. 'To overturn virtue and drown in drink...' The ancients did not deceive us."

Du Shisan stepped forward, bowing deeply. "You are our venerable master, and today is the third day of the Tang calendar—a day for libation and homage. Even if you drink a few more jars, it would not be amiss."

Master Lu, hearing this, clapped and laughed, his gaze warming as he looked upon Du Shisan.

The old scholar beckoned him over, saying with a smile, "You are a teachable one. I have little to offer, only a volume of the 'Huangting Outer Visualization Classic,' which I won in a wager some years ago. Take it and study it well." He produced a thin booklet from his breast, stroking the cover as if reluctant to part with it.

With a meaningful look, the old scholar said, "In troubled times, the Daoist school hides away like turtles in the mountains, but scholars cannot do the same. What then? One must find a way to grow both in strength and influence. This 'Outer Visualization Classic' teaches cultivation of both inner and outer virtues, harmonizing with nature's way. Its precepts complement the Confucian cultivation of righteous spirit. If you, Du Shisan, do not break through within ten years, you might as well bash your head against a wall in the pleasure quarter and be done with it."

Du Shisan thanked him profusely; the other scholars came forward, offering their congratulations.

Zhao Zheng said, "Du Shisan is gifted. He should manage it. Sir, what would you recommend for me?"

Wen Taiyuan interjected, "Zhao Zheng boasts that he's better than Liu Hedong, a disgrace to all scholars. Even with advanced techniques, it should be my turn. Sir, I look better than Zhao Zheng anyway."

Zhao Zheng retorted, "You spoke ill of our master behind his back."

Wen Taiyuan shot back, "And you swindled him out of silver."

Zhao Zheng said, "Wen Taiyuan bullied Li Yishan and once groped Miss Jinse at the musicians' quarters..."

Master Lu barked, "You two—out!"

And so, the two great scholars obediently collapsed to the ground, wrapped their arms over their heads, and rolled out of the hall with remarkable roundness.

...

He Chang'an looked on, his eye twitching. These scholars were truly...

He dared not look further; it was simply too mortifying.

Yet, the more he saw, the more suspicious he became. Who exactly was this Master Lu? Judging by the scholars' reverence, this old man's standing must be exceedingly high.

Moreover, the Daoist classics he bestowed so casually were all clearly extraordinary.

"He Chang'an, do us a favor and teach this unruly lot some sense," Master Lu said, having downed three bowls of wine and grown a little tipsy. Rubbing his temples with his left hand, he tossed a ruler with his right and added gently, "If anyone gets out of hand, break his third leg."