At the very beginning, when Su Mengnan mentioned that Liu Yunduo was currently on her way from Lushan Mountain to Jincheng, Jiang Fei didn’t really take it to heart. He didn’t notice anything unusual about it, so it just went in one ear and out the other.
But then, Su Mengnan said that Liu Yunduo, in just a few short months, had abandoned her original, fixed right-handed sword technique and mastered a left-handed sword technique. And her skill level wasn’t much lower than it was at her peak back then—
This left Jiang Fei utterly bewildered. He thought it was very abnormal, even impossible.
Then, Jiang Fei thought about it again and quickly focused on the word ‘Lushan Mountain’ once more.
It was very likely that Liu Yunduo had encountered some stroke of luck on Lushan Mountain, maybe meeting some kind of reclusive master. That would explain how she could master such a powerful sword technique in such a short time.
And Lushan Mountain…
What is Lushan Mountain most famous for, most typical, and most memorable to Jiang Fei? Isn’t it what that old Daoist Qingxu from Wudang Mountain once told Jiang Fei? That among the absolute top experts in the current Chinese martial arts world, the ones who could compare with Master Dong of the Northeast and the Drunk Monk of the Western Regions, was the reclusive master known as the Weed Daoist of Lushan Mountain?
Later, Jiang Fei learned from his cheap master, Xuanjizi, that this Weed Daoist of Lushan’s actual strength had already surpassed the Dan Jin level of Master Dong and the Drunk Monk. His cultivation had advanced further, breaking through the peak and constraints of the Dan Jin level to reach another mysterious and unfathomable level: the Gang Jin level!
The Gang Jin level means a congenital master.
Even if it’s just the ordinary external Gang level, not the internal Gang level of Jiang Fei’s cheap master Xuanjizi, it still represents the very, very top, invincible masters of the current era. Continuing to cultivate, they would soon reach the true apex of martial arts, the next step leading to a path with no records.
If such a reclusive master could enable Liu Yunduo, whose right hand’s tendons were severed, to abandon her original fixed mindset and achieve such rapid progress in just a few months, returning to her peak level, then only a congenital master like the Weed Daoist would make it possible.
Thinking of this, Jiang Fei couldn’t help but feel a bit unsettled, his eyes widening.
Of course, Su Mengnan had no idea what Jiang Fei was thinking. Seeing Jiang Fei’s unsettled look, he was a bit puzzled, but nodded and said, “Yeah. The Alliance Leader Queen is flying in from Lushan Mountain to Jincheng. Because the reclusive master who taught her the left-handed sword technique lives at the foot of Lushan Mountain, so all this time, the Alliance Leader Queen has also been living at the foot of Lushan Mountain…”
Hearing this, Jiang Fei felt confirmed in his suspicions.
So, it was true. The reclusive master Liu Yunduo met lived at the foot of Lushan Mountain. This way, Jiang Fei could be almost one hundred percent certain that the expert who taught Liu Yunduo the left-handed sword technique, enabling her to rise again in such a short time, was indeed the Weed Daoist.
After all, although the world is no longer as simple as Jiang Fei initially imagined, and there are still quite a few reclusive masters, there really aren’t many at the congenital level.
It’s highly unlikely that there would be two such masters at the foot of Lushan Mountain.
Su Mengnan didn’t notice the subtle expression on Jiang Fei’s face and kept chattering on.
As he talked, the look of admiration for Jiang Fei in his eyes and on his face grew even stronger. He chuckled ingratiatingly and said, “But although this master living at the foot of Lushan Mountain is pretty good, maybe even a remarkable expert, that’s why he could help the Alliance Leader Queen improve so much in a short time. Honestly, though, in my opinion, he’s probably not truly that powerful. He’s definitely no match for you, Great Hero Jiang!”
Jiang Fei smiled wryly and asked, “Why do you say that?”
Su Mengnan looked as if it were only natural, and said, “Think about it. Since ancient times, we Chinese have a saying: ‘The lesser hermit lives in the mountains, the middling hermit lives in the market, the greater hermit lives at court.’ That master acts all aloof and above the mundane world, seeming like a lofty recluse, but he’s probably just a lesser hermit at best. He definitely can’t compare to a true expert like you, Great Hero Jiang, who fights against foreigners both in the martial world and even at the court level!”
Jiang Fei was a bit speechless. “Your logic leaves me with nothing to say.”
Su Mengnan, usually so arrogant and overbearing, was now acting like a total sycophant, completely devoid of the spoiled, rich-kid attitude he had even in the Beijing circles. He was truly a model of being able to bend or stretch as needed.
“Honestly, Great Hero Jiang, I’m not just kissing up to you. I truly feel that reclusive master isn’t as strong as you. Think about it. Not only did you kill that scumbag Miyamoto Kazuhide in the duel, but I also heard that even that country’s genuine, recognized contemporary kendo master, Yagyu Munenori, almost got beaten to the point of vomiting blood and dying when he fought you on the Golden Summit of Mount Emei! You brought honor to our country! It’s like you single-handedly wiped out the Japanese invader with your sword! A true master like you can rightfully be called a ‘great hero, for the country and the people!’ Who can even be your opponent anymore?”
Although most of these words were based on truth, with basically no exaggeration, Jiang Fei somehow felt that even he, a person with a fairly thick skin, was blushing a little.
“I actually knew a long time ago that you, Great Hero Jiang, were going to duel with that so-called contemporary Japanese kendo master, Yagyu Munenori, on the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. Unfortunately, I was on Lushan Mountain at the time, begging that reclusive master to teach me swordsmanship—pfft, wrong! I was on Lushan Mountain keeping the Alliance Leader Queen company, so I really couldn’t get away. Because at that time, the Alliance Leader Queen was at a critical point in her sword practice. Ah, what a pity I missed your duel with Yagyu Munenori, Great Hero Jiang. Not being able to see you display your heroic prowess is truly regrettable! But even without seeing it in person, just the fact that you could defeat Yagyu Munenori shows that your strength is far superior to that reclusive master’s, right?” Su Mengnan looked at Jiang Fei with fervent admiration. His words this time weren’t entirely flattery.
Jiang Fei sighed, shook his head, and said, “Whether you’re flattering me or not, I have to tell you, your guess this time is wrong. If my speculation is correct, the master who taught Liu Yunduo the left-handed sword technique is called the Weed Daoist. He’s a genuine reclusive master, not someone seeking fame. My current strength is no match for this Weed Daoist.”
“Ah—?”
Su Mengnan was dumbfounded. He asked in disbelief, “Great Hero Jiang, you know that master dressed in tattered clothes, who looked like a Daoist but not quite?”
“I don’t know him, but I’ve heard of him,” Jiang Fei said.
“Well… okay then,” Su Mengnan said with a twitch of his mouth. Then, quickly and unwillingly, he asked, “Is this reclusive master called the Weed Daoist really as powerful as you say, Great Hero Jiang? You’re not even his match?”
Jiang Fei nodded. His gaze grew somewhat distant, and his voice carried a hint of emotion. “Of course. Otherwise, do you think just anyone could, in just a few months, without her right hand healing, make Liu Yunduo switch to practicing a left-handed sword technique and become this strong?”
Jiang Fei had already seen the disciples of the Old Drunkard from the Western Regions and Master Dong from the Northeast, and had even dealt with them. Now, the most mysterious and most powerful Weed Daoist was finally about to reveal a bit of true form.
“It seems I’m slowly getting to meet all sorts of experts from China’s martial world,” Jiang Fei thought to himself.
——-
Liu Yunduo’s plane wasn’t delayed. Jiang Fei and Su Mengnan didn’t have to wait long outside before they saw the familiar figure of Liu Yunduo emerging from the arrivals gate.
Liu Yunduo didn’t look much different from when Jiang Fei saw her at the Beijing airport. Her cascade of jet-black hair was still long and straight, draped over her shoulders and swaying gently in the breeze as she walked.
She wore ordinary winter clothes in darker shades, nothing flashy, no luxury accessories or jewelry anywhere. On her feet were her ever-present embroidered cloth shoes. Her aura was classic and antique, full of charm.
Seeing Jiang Fei, a radiant, joyful light sparkled in Liu Yunduo’s eyes.
“Long time no see,” Jiang Fei said with a beaming smile.
Just by looking at her, Jiang Fei could tell that Liu Yunduo had indeed mastered a very powerful sword technique during this time. Her walk was no longer that of someone seriously injured with crippled martial arts. Amidst her calm and elegant demeanor, there was a steady ‘sharp killing intent,’ indicating that Liu Yunduo had regained her combat ability and was ready for a fight.
“Long time no see,” Liu Yunduo nodded, but a hint of guilt appeared in her eyes. “I’m very sorry. I had matters on Lushan Mountain some time ago, I really couldn’t get away. So much so that when I heard about your decisive battle with Yagyu Munenori on the Golden Summit of Mount Emei, I couldn’t come.”
Jiang Fei waved his hand dismissively and said with a smile, “No need to apologize. Regarding my battle with Yagyu Munenori, I actually wanted as few people to know as possible. I hardly told any of my friends. Having you all not come actually put less pressure on me. But now, I should congratulate you. You’ve found a good master on Lushan Mountain…”
Liu Yunduo was taken aback, wondering how Jiang Fei knew. But her gaze shifted to Su Mengnan beside him, and she quickly understood. That guy must have spilled the beans to Jiang Fei already.
She wasn’t angry with Jiang Fei, as she hadn’t intended to hide it from him anyway. Besides, when the Weed Daoist taught her the sword technique, he never said she couldn’t tell others about him.
Liu Yunduo just shook her head and said, “I haven’t actually formally taken the Weed Daoist as my master. He hasn’t taken disciples in a long time. The reason he taught me is that he actually knew my father. After he heard about what happened to me, he taught me this sword technique.”
Jiang Fei was surprised to hear this; he hadn’t expected there to be a story behind it.
Su Mengnan also sat up straight in excitement, exclaiming, “So that reclusive master was an old friend of the Alliance Leader Queen’s father! No wonder he taught you the sword technique and not me. I initially thought my talent was lacking. That really crushed my spirit.”
“The Weed Daoist also said that even though your father and he were old acquaintances, he wouldn’t take you as a disciple…” Liu Yunduo calmly added, twisting the knife.
Su Mengnan’s newfound sense of self-comfort was immediately shattered by Liu Yunduo’s remark. He said, full of resentment, “Alliance Leader Queen, you’ve become mean…”
Despite the blow, Su Mengnan still had to play driver, chauffeuring Jiang Fei and Liu Yunduo to the Jiang’s Medical Hall in the city. Since she had arrived, the next step for Jiang Fei was naturally to treat Liu Yunduo’s crippled right hand.
They didn’t even wait until they reached the Jiang’s Medical Hall. Right there in the car, Jiang Fei took Liu Yunduo’s pulse to assess her condition.
“How is it?” Liu Yunduo asked in a low voice, her eyes a mix of fear and hope as she looked at Jiang Fei.
Even though she had now learned the left-handed sword technique taught by the Weed Daoist, and her strength would likely soon return to her peak level before the injury, if her crippled right hand could be healed and she could use swordsmanship again, then Liu Yunduo’s skill would directly have a compounding effect!
Right now, her right hand was crippled. The left-handed sword technique could restore her combat ability. But if her right hand weren’t crippled, and she could combine both left and right hands, her combat effectiveness would immediately skyrocket!
In fact, this isn’t as simple as one plus one equals two.
Using twin swords together might produce unexpected results.
For Liu Yunduo, who aspired to sweep through the Japanese kendo world, she didn’t just want to return to her former strength. She wanted to be as strong as possible, only then could she achieve her goal.
“It’s okay.”
Jiang Fei removed his fingers from Liu Yunduo’s wrist. Although his expression was somewhat serious, fortunately, he didn’t say anything that would make Liu Yunduo lose hope. “Back in Flower City, I did some simple treatment on your arm to prevent the condition of your arm’s meridians from worsening. So right now, I’m more than eighty percent confident I can restore your right hand.”
“Eighty percent!” Liu Yunduo was overjoyed at this possibility.
Originally, she had long since given up hope. She never thought her arm could be restored, feeling that Jiang Fei’s earlier promise was just to comfort her.
Even the Weed Daoist, after examining her, had simply shaken his head and said there was no way to restore her right hand.
When she left Lushan Mountain for Jincheng this time, she told the Weed Daoist she was going for treatment on her right hand. The Weed Daoist was very surprised, saying it was absolutely impossible!
But now, Jiang Fei had called her from Lushan Mountain and was seriously telling her there was an eighty percent chance her arm could recover!
Liu Yunduo knew Jiang Fei well enough by now, knowing he wasn’t one to boast. Since he said he was eighty percent confident he could heal her, the real likelihood was probably only higher.
Nervous with anticipation, the BMW X6 soon arrived in front of Jiang’s Medical Hall.
Liu Yunduo and Su Mengnan followed Jiang Fei, the hospital director, to the specialized surgical area.
Treating the damaged meridians in Liu Yunduo’s wrist wasn’t something that could be fixed with just acupuncture. It required a surgical procedure using traditional Chinese medicine, reopening the old wound and scab before attempting to reconnect the tissues.
Fortunately, Jiang Fei’s medical skills were omnipotent. Besides being second to none in acupuncture and herbal medicine, he hadn’t neglected surgical techniques either. Combined with some miraculous pills from the Alchemy System, Jiang Fei was indeed very confident in healing Liu Yunduo’s right hand.
