The Beacon of Kyushu

Chen Tuan shook his head and said, "This stick is made of the ancient sacred wood, the Dragon-Subduing Wood. It has three magical powers. First, although this stick is a wooden stick, it is not afraid of precious swords and knives. No matter how you chop, slash, or cut, it will not hurt it at all. Second, this stick emits fragrance in the wind, which can overcome most of the poisonous smoke and poisonous miasma in the world. Even the Smiling Soul-Destroying Smoke from the Nine Netherworld in the past can't do anything to you. Third, holding this stick often can relax your muscles and activate blood circulation, and you will not be invaded by external evils. You will not even get drunk after drinking for three days and three nights. Isn't this exactly what you need?"

Wan Jianfeng looked the stick up and down and said excitedly: "Master, you have found a master, you are not allowed to fool your disciple! If this stick is not as magical as you say, don't blame me for being greedy, I will force you to give me two more treasures as compensation!"

Chen Tuan said: "Jianfeng, you can rest assured about this matter. If I am exaggerating, I would rather give you my most beloved Fuyao sword."

Wan Jianfeng hurriedly said: "Master, you said this yourself, you are not allowed to regret it at any time!" After he said that, he happily ran out of Zhang Chao Valley and ran towards Yuntai Temple, as if he was afraid that if he stayed a little longer, Chen Tuan would change his mind.

Seeing Wan Jianfeng running away in such a hurry, Chen Tuan smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits, as if he saw his younger self. As he smiled, he remembered that those things had happened more than a hundred years ago, and those who had accompanied him had long disappeared from this world. The living emperors and generals had become cold names in history books in an instant, and the living heroes had become rare anecdotes among the younger generation. How could he laugh?

A myriad of emotions surged in his heart, but they choked in his throat for a long time and turned into a light sigh. Yes, Zhang Chao was the only one in the valley at the moment. There were not many people in the world who had seen the wind, frost, rain and snow a hundred years ago. Even if he had thousands of words to say, who could he tell them to?

After a moment, Wan Jianfeng ran back to Yuntai Temple and ran into Chen Tafa head-on.

Chen Tafa was surprised to see Wan Jianfeng holding a red and black wooden stick in his hand, as if he had found a treasure. "May you be blessed with infinite blessings! Junior brother, why are you so happy? Did the master agree to accompany you down the mountain?"

Wan Jianfeng's face was filled with a bright smile one moment, but the next moment the smile froze, and he thought to himself, "The old man gave this dragon-subduing stick to me, saying that as long as I often hold this stick, I won't get drunk even if I drink for three days and three nights. I was so focused on drinking that I forgot to beg him to accompany me down the mountain. Now it's bad!"

Chen Tafa asked, "Junior brother, why don't you say anything? Did you make Master angry?"

Wan Jianfeng rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "Haha, I am a very happy young man, how could I possibly make Master angry? However, Master asked me to do this, and if I'm not careful, it might make you brothers angry, so I'm a little embarrassed to say it out loud."

Chen Tafa was getting more and more confused by what he said, and he pressed on, "Junior brother, you don't have to be so hesitant. Since it's Master's order, how can we disciples disobey it?"

Wan Jianfeng clapped his hands and said, "That's great! Master said that all of you brothers are better at martial arts than me. If you can't send me to Tokyo safely within ten days, he will not let you off easily once he comes out of seclusion!"

Chen Tafa said doubtfully, "Brother, are you serious? It's fine to deal with others, but it's very difficult to deal with Sima Wuming. I must listen to Master's orders in person before I dare to lead the crowd to escort you down the mountain." As he was about to head to Zhang Chao Valley, Wan Jianfeng stretched out his hand to stop him, saying, "Hey, brother, don't go! Master has been in seclusion before I left, and he must have finished his three sweet dreams by now. If you disturb him now, you'll get your butt beaten to a pulp!"

"This..." Chen Tafa paused and said in embarrassment: "Junior brother, there are many evil demons at the foot of the mountain. If they are determined to take your life, it will be difficult to deal with them easily. If Master is willing to accompany you down the mountain, with his prestige of a hundred years, he will definitely protect you. But Master is in seclusion, and Junior Brother Hongmeng, who has the highest martial arts skills, is not here. If you insist on going to Tokyo, it will be very difficult."

Wan Jianfeng smiled and said, "Brother Chen, Master often says that my martial arts skills are low and I need to learn more from the brothers. In other words, you brothers, stop hiding your skills and teach me all your skills. I am so smart that I can easily defeat those ghosts at the foot of the mountain with just a little practice. But if you don't want to, I have no choice but to stay on the mountain and wait for Master to come out. Unfortunately, by then, you will all be considered to have disobeyed Master's orders, and Master will probably have to teach you a lesson! I believe Brother Chen knows which one is more important than me!"

Chen Tafa frowned and said, "Brother, did Master really say that? Master is a scholar, not only proficient in medicine and physiognomy, but also in martial arts. He has created a lot of martial arts in his life. We have spent our entire lives trying to learn only one or two. How can you learn them all in a short time?"

Wan Jianfeng said, "Do you think I want to learn it? If Master hadn't ordered me to, I would have grilled fish and had a drink. Who would learn martial arts if they had nothing better to do? It can't be used as money to buy wine."

Chen Tafa thought for a moment and said, "What Master taught me mainly refers to Xuan Gong, Tengyun Chengfeng and Yujing Sword Technique. What Master taught Brother Junlai was mainly Yunpiao Yuxiu. What Master taught Brother Weili was mainly Guigui Sword Technique. What Master taught Brother Lianpu was mainly Bagua Yinyang Palm. What Master taught Brother Hongyunzi was mainly Shoulong Qinhu Gong. What Master taught Brother Fan Hua was mainly Xiaotian Shu. What Master taught Sister Jasmine was mainly Luohua Xingyun Umbrella. What Master taught Brother Hongmeng was mainly Sleeping Immortal Gong, Qiufeng Luoye Leg and Qingxu Sword Technique. Sister Jasmine has passed away for many years, and many of my fellow apprentices have gone out to preach. Only Brothers Hongyunzi and Fan Hua are still in Huashan, but do you really want to learn from everyone? Our Taoist martial arts are practical and virtual, and there is no such thing as going astray, but it is hard to learn too much. I am afraid that learning too much may not be a good thing!"

Wan Jianfeng said: "Brother, I have learned martial arts for so many years, how can I not understand this principle? But I can't spend my whole life cultivating immortals and enlightenment like you, and stay in Huashan for the rest of my life, right? So, you guys should quickly teach me all the martial arts, so that I can go down the mountain to Tokyo alone. If you can't bear to leave and must go with me, I will welcome you with open arms and feet!"

Chen Tafa said, "Brother, this matter is of great importance. I will gather all the brothers to discuss it together. In two days, you will come to the Lotus Cave on the mountainside to find us. We will give you a definite answer whether we will teach you martial arts or accompany you to Beijing."

Wan Jianfeng counted the days with his fingers and said anxiously, "No, I'm in a hurry to go to Tokyo, and I don't have time to wait for you for two days. How about we change it to this evening? If you haven't made up your mind, I will have to go down the mountain alone. If something unexpected happens and you die at the foot of Huashan, Master will definitely not forgive you after he comes out of retreat!"

Chen Tafa sighed, "Alas, today I have finally learned a lesson about your abilities. No wonder so many generals who have fought their entire lives in battle, so many famous knights, have fallen into your hands! Forget it, forget it, I won't waste any more time with you, I'll go and discuss this with you brothers now."

Wan Jianfeng smiled and made a gesture of invitation, and said loudly: "Thank you, Senior Brother Chen, I wish you smooth sailing, double happiness, three Yangs to open the door, four seasons of health, five sons to pass the imperial examinations, six sixes of luck, seven stars shining, eight winds, nine turns of success, ten perfections, a hundred battles and victories, a thousand years of achievements, and eternal fame! I don't want the reward money for now, Senior Brother Chen, have a good journey, just give me a quick reply!"

Chen Tafa saw Wan Jianfeng's playful and carefree appearance, just like a beggar who was trying to get a compliment. He was about to say something to teach him a lesson, but then he thought, isn't this junior fellow of his a real beggar? He shook his head helplessly, pointed at Wan Jianfeng, smiled bitterly, and strode out of the temple. (End of this chapter)