Chapter 38 The Dao Inherent in the Valley of Hidden Immortals

Zhuang Lin understood Liu Hongyu's thoughts, but those who wanted to stay would naturally stay, and those who wanted to leave could not be persuaded otherwise.

Many people came here originally for profit, and since future wealth and nobility were within easy reach, how could they easily give them up?

Unless he simply and bluntly told everyone that the Dao of Immortality could be attained, but wasn't that just another form of benefit? Besides, not everyone possessed extraordinary aptitude, and how much underhanded plotting would arise from that? At the very least, Zhuang Lin did not want to do such a thing.

Zhuang Lin felt he was no supreme being. With his current ability, teaching a small number of people would suffice, or even teaching Liu Hongyu alone would be enough.

Nor did Zhuang Lin worry that the valley would truly be devoid of people in the future. Even if that were the case, he would at least enjoy peace and tranquility.

Whenever he truly desired bustle, he could venture back into the mortal world. He had originally intended to view all mountains and rivers while seeking his own opportunities, so he would naturally not bind his own hands and feet.

Moreover, Zhuang Lin believed that the truly aspiring and accomplished individuals within the valley actually harbored their own inclinations in their hearts.

Yes, even given Zhuang Lin's current realm, in his eyes, there were still many people within the Hidden Immortal Valley who deserved to be called "grand masters and high achievers."

"Alright, don't bother Brother Fu today. I'll give you some pointers!"

Hearing Zhuang Lin's words, Liu Hongyu's face revealed joy.

"That's wonderful, Master! I want to learn the kind of Tai Chi you just performed!"

Perhaps the others hadn't noticed, but Liu Hongyu's spiritual perception was outstanding. He could feel the conversion of Yin and Yang within it pulling upon spiritual energy. This was the methodology of immortality, which meant his master had simply been operating immortal magic just moments ago!

"Very well, you may try to experience it!"

Zhuang Lin began to teach Liu Hongyu earnestly, entirely unconcerned that a group of people nearby who had practiced martial arts since childhood were watching and listening. When Liu Hongyu managed to execute the forms decently, even causing those around him to feel a sense of being pulled, many could no longer restrain themselves.

Even Young Master Liu can do it, so can't I?

"Master Zhuang, why don't you give me some pointers as well..."

"And me! Me! I feel like I've practiced for over a decade without truly understanding anything!"

"I'd like to learn along as well..."

Fu Zeyang couldn't help speaking up either. He clearly remembered that two or three months ago, it was he who had taught Master Zhuang how to perform Tai Chi, from the simplified version to the in-depth version. Why was it that now, he could barely understand what was being done, or rather, he could understand it, yet deep down he felt an inexplicable sensation?

The so-called progression from simplicity to complexity, and then back to simplicity, was precisely what Master Zhuang was exhibiting right now.

Zhuang Lin nodded. In truth, martial arts had sometimes subverted some of his own inherent concepts. Now he suspected whether the martial arts of the ancient Jin Dynasty might also possess many profound aspects, because as he had just operated Tai Chi, the spiritual power within his body circulating along with it had moved the surrounding aura.

Judging purely by martial arts, Zhuang Lin even felt that the version of himself just then could be as formidable as the experts in those classic martial arts films.

Thus, the upper limit of martial arts' subtlety and wonder was not all that low—at least it was certainly not as useless as many people on the internet perceived it to be.

Seeing everyone crowding around, Zhuang Lin was not stingy, opening his mouth to deliver the core essence and dried goods.

"From my perspective on martial arts, one needs to temper the tendons, bones, skin, and flesh. You often speak of Qi and blood; naturally, that is extremely important, but it is also somewhat of a helpless resort. Clarifying the force throughout one's body is merely managing external power, and the routines you practice are mostly fixed formulas..."

"Even those who have practiced martial arts for years, if they only know routine forms on ordinary days, when encountering a real fight, they might still end up flailing wildly like a turtle!"

At Zhuang Lin's words, some people smiled, while others could not.

"It's actually because the mind is chaotic, which is why one cannot display their true skill!"

Fu Zeyang nodded and spoke with a trace of embarrassment.

In truth, back during that dangerous environment in the Jin Dynasty, the very first move Fu Zeyang made used his habitual Tongbei fist techniques, but if he had fallen into a protracted brawl afterward, he couldn't have said for sure how he would have responded.

Adding to this, Fu Zeyang said, "When a person panics, all their skills are forgotten, but the strength they've trained remains, and some instinctive movements will still be unconsciously applied. That is why training through the three coldest days of winter and the three hottest days of summer cannot be slacked off—it is somewhat useful after all!"

"Indeed, it is somewhat useful!"

Zhuang Lin nodded as he looked at Fu Zeyang, but then shook his head.

"However, it is far from enough! Practicing martial arts goes beyond tendons, bones, Qi, and blood; one must also enlighten the spirit!"

"Enlighten the spirit?"

Such a concept might have been recorded in texts, but it was probably not frequently brought up in modern times, and Master Zhuang's explanation as a Confucian scholar would certainly not follow conventional lines.

At this moment, even Fu Zeyang found it rather novel to listen to, and the others looked at each other in blank dismay.

"Yes, enlightening the spirit. Enlightening the spirit is a step higher than the 'intent' you pursue!"

Zhuang Lin looked at the rising sun and pointed to the east, saying:

"If we use heaven and earth as a substitute for the human body, this is the spirit within the heart. If one can enlighten the spirit, then the morning sun rises and the heavenly brightness is like fire, casting a brilliant light upon everything!"

Regardless of whether the others found it esoteric, Zhuang Lin continued:

"Taking the heart as a metaphor for the spirit, if the heart does not move, the intent will not scatter. This governs the Qi within the body; using Qi to manage power ensures the power does not disperse. This mobilizes the strength throughout the whole body, which in turn guides the momentum of the techniques. Once that momentum is formed, spirit and power merge to magnify oneself and terrify the opponent—that is the great completion of skill!"

"In short, it is using the heart to govern Qi, using Qi to guide and pull momentum, clarifying the inner body while drawing upon the universe externally. Afterward, the spirit becomes bright, so that in combat one does not think yet the techniques change automatically—this is the realm where having no form defeats having form!"

"Of course, absolute strength breaks all tricks; one's own foundation must also not be neglected!"

Liu Hongyu, standing to the side, understood that what his master was discussing was no longer confined to the category of martial arts, but had touched upon the level of the "Dao" to a certain extent, which made him listen with extra earnestness.

Zhuang Lin looked at the surrounding people and smiled.

"Actually, apart from martial arts, the essence of what I have said applies equally when transposed to any profession!"

Fu Zeyang stared blankly at Zhuang Lin, and the others wore similarly dazed expressions.

Many of them, even if they had heard some grand principles before, could mostly not take them to heart in the past, because those who spoke didn't truly understand either—they merely passed things down by word of mouth, making their explanations ambiguous and vague.

Moreover, many of these people had been forced by the stick to practice martial arts since childhood, so they naturally harbored a bit of rebellious resistance toward the teachings of their elders.

Yet the situation now was different!

Having just watched the Master perform his boxing, that fresh memory still lingered. Although they couldn't quite understand the content of what he was saying at the moment, they inexplicably felt a stirring within their hearts.

After a long while, someone suddenly thought of something, shouted a phrase, and started running toward home:

"Master Zhuang, wait a moment, I'll go bring my grandfather out—"

That was Fu Zeyang's paternal nephew. Then Fu Zeyang reacted—this fellow was going to drag his old father over!

"You little brat, your grandfather has trouble walking—"

Shouting was shouting, but though Fu Zeyang gave chase, he didn't stop the fellow. Instead, he went home with him; indeed, it was time to invite the old man over. As the two ran, Fu Zeyang even turned back to shout:

"Mr. Zian—please wait for us to return before speaking further—"

Liu Hongyu glanced at the two figures running away into the distance, then looked at Zhuang Lin, thinking that his master's method of keeping people was far more brilliant than his own!

-----------------

Time quickly transitioned from summer to autumn, and the school also took a break for a period. However, this was not the conventional winter or summer vacation of the outside world, but rather because this was the season of the most frequent crop harvests in the Hidden Immortal Valley.

Whether it was the fruit trees on the periphery of the mountain valley, the various food crops in the fields, or some of nature's gifts within the mountain forests, it was a relatively abundant season.

Even the children in the valley needed to help with the labor; it was the busiest season in the Hidden Immortal Valley.

As for Zhuang Lin and Liu Hongyu at this moment, they were heading toward a place outside the Hidden Immortal Valley.

That location was roughly several hundred meters from the outermost edge of the crescent-shaped valley visible to the world, formed by a meandering branch extending from the tail end of the mountain valley.

The two places were separated by a small hill along the valley wall, so it was considered outside the valley.

Water sources from inside the valley seeped underground to emerge once more, and mountain streams also converged there.

This was the most special place in the Hidden Immortal Valley, separated from the vast majority of residential areas, yet containing buildings and not entirely uninhabited. At the same time, it was the place with the highest temperature.

Workshops such as porcelain kilns, charcoal kilns, and blacksmith shops were basically concentrated in this area, which the residents of the valley customarily called the Fire Valley.

Recently, Zhuang Lin had grown quite fond of running over here, and Liu Hongyu followed along as well.

When practicing cultivation also touched upon martial arts, weapons inevitably became involved, and once weapons were involved, Liu Hongyu frequently mentioned concepts like immortal magic artifacts in front of Zhuang Lin, his verbal yearning being more than obvious.

With Liu Hongyu making such a fuss, Zhuang Lin's own sentimental attachment to magic treasures was also stirred up—who wouldn't be interested in such things?

However, Zhuang Lin stated that he truly didn't have any, and Liu Hongyu understood this exceptionally well in his heart. His master had arrived in an era where everything was exhausted; all kinds of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, along with spiritual objects, had withered away alongside spiritual energy. Only an immortal body of longevity could withstand it.

Yet since the Hidden Immortal Valley had been newly pioneered and given a "spiritual vein" by master under the arrangement of providence, could his master not also re-forge magic treasures?

That was how Liu Hongyu thought and felt, and that was how he asked. Hearing this, Zhuang Lin was naturally moved to some extent.

Heat waves billowed within the Fire Valley, especially inside the blacksmith shop at this moment.

Inside the forge right now, an elderly master craftsman approaching seventy was drinking tea, while his two apprentices were busy. One of them used tongs to slowly extract a glowing red piece of metal from the furnace to inspect it, then returned it to the furnace.

A look of joy appeared on the old master's face. Just then, seeing Zhuang Lin and Liu Hongyu approach, he hurriedly stood up to salute them.

"It's Mr. Zian and Young Master Liu! You've come just in time, truly just in time!"

Despite his advanced age, the old man was currently somewhat excited. He put down his teacup and hurried out to welcome them.

Zhuang Lin and Liu Hongyu hastily returned the salute.

"How are you, Elder Qiao!" "Grandpa Qiao!"

"Please come in, please come in!"

The old man was in an extremely good mood. He grabbed Zhuang Lin's hand, walked near the high-temperature furnace, and pointed toward the hearth, saying:

"Mr. Zian is truly a high achiever who comprehends all schools of thought and spans heaven and human knowledge! My Qiao family has specialized in forging for generations; the forging methods passed down by our ancestors were indeed correct. It was old man me who kept getting stuck in a rut and even once doubted my ancestors, thinking those primitive methods were just feudal superstition. I am truly ashamed!

I never expected that with just a slight pointer from Mr. Zian, the leftover ores melted and harmonized, turning decay into a miracle! This Hidden Immortal Valley is truly a place where old man me..."

In his excitement, the old man almost blurted out the truth. Catching sight of Liu Hongyu's face, he slammed the emergency brakes on the words in his throat.

"Ahem, this Hidden Immortal Valley treats me truly well!"

Liu Hongyu had long since heard the old man's slip of the tongue, but he simply pretended not to know. Right now, it wasn't others acting before him, but rather him playing along with others. However, he was extremely interested in the ores the old man had mentioned.

"They really fused together?"

"Could this be false? It's all thanks to Mr. Zian's erudition, otherwise the very first step of this mysterious iron forging method could never have succeeded!"

Zhuang Lin smiled. That was not his erudition at all; it was clearly content found within the Qiao family's ancestral texts.

It was just that some of the so-called "primitive methods" written there were evidently difficult to apply effectively in modern times, but in the Hidden Immortal Valley, that might not be the case.

Coupled with Zhuang Lin's slight guidance and improvement, the inevitable result had thus been achieved.

If there was anything that was entirely the handiwork of Zhuang Lin, it was the stellar carvings on the high furnace, which he had helped engrave.
However, Elder Qiao's previous remark was quite correct: coming to the Hidden Immortal Valley was truly the right choice for him!

"Right, old man keeps his word. Since this method can succeed, I will forge an artifact for the Master, even if it's just meant as a study room decoration!"

Though some materials were precious, a craftsman prioritized skill above all. This could be considered the grace of imparting the Dao, and no matter how he repaid it, it would never be too much!

Zhuang Lin looked toward Liu Hongyu beside him. The latter's face revealed joy as he hurriedly stepped forward.

"Grandpa Qiao, the Master has yielded this to me. I want to forge a sword, and I will personally participate in the hammering!"

"Yielded it to you? And you want to forge it personally?"

The old man stroked his stubble and looked Liu Hongyu up and down.

"Since the Master has given his golden word, there is naturally no objection to forging something for Young Master Liu. However... it's not that old man looks down on Young Master Liu, but the young master has delicate skin and tender flesh; I'm afraid you can't even swing a hammer, let alone cooperate with others in joint forging..."

Liu Hongyu smiled without speaking, directly took off his outer garment, picked up a heavy hammer from the side with one hand, and brandished it lightly a few times.

The hammer cut through the air, producing a humming sound that made the old man's eyes light up. This single hand was definitely no simple feat!

Afterward, Liu Hongyu tried collaborative forging with one of the old man's apprentices for a moment, and within mere moments he was already able to grasp the rhythm, proportions, and force.

Even by the end, that young blacksmith could no longer keep up with Liu Hongyu's rhythm and didn't have time to correct certain things.

Seeing this made the old man's eyes glow, and he continuously praised Young Master Liu as a born blacksmith, drastically changing his impression of him.

Therefore, when the actual forging of Liu Hongyu's sword truly began, Elder Qiao actually stepped up himself. When he took off his outer garment, that rippling physique of sinew and muscle startled both Zhuang Lin and Liu Hongyu.

Before long, Zhuang Lin and the old man's apprentice were both reduced to onlookers, while Elder Qiao and Liu Hongyu hammered the sword embryo together.

*Clang~dong~clang~dong~clang~dong...*

Amidst waves of surging heat and rhythmic pounding, Liu Hongyu concentrated every faculty. The shaping of the sword embryo relied primarily on the old man, while he forged spiritual nature directly into it during the process.

Seeing Young Master Liu so focused, Elder Qiao grew even more spirited and brought out his ancestral skills.

Watching this scene, Zhuang Lin felt a measure of emotional resonance. This could be considered the Dao inherent within the Hidden Immortal Valley itself!