Volume One, Chapter 12: Zhang Sanfeng Becomes a Master and Attains Peerless Martial Arts

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“Divine Doctor Xia, thank you for saving my daughter’s life! What kind of weapon did you use that is so miraculous? Is this a firearm? It’s so compact yet has such power!”

Empress Ma pointed curiously at the pistol in Xia Jingtian’s hand.

Back when Zhu Yuanzhang was fighting to establish his reign, firearms and cannons were used repeatedly to defeat Zhang Shicheng, playing a significant role in those victories.

Although pistols differ greatly from handheld cannons, their principles are similar, except that handheld cannons can only fire single shots and have limited power.

“This pistol is an evolution from the handheld cannon; it’s a weapon from my era,” Xia Jingtian explained.

“Grandmother! Grandmother!”

At that moment, Zhu Xiongying called out loudly from the second-floor ward.

“Xiongying, don’t be afraid, grandmother is coming! The noise just now woke the child up!”

Empress Ma hurried upstairs.

Xia Jingtian carefully put the pistol away, but his hands trembled uncontrollably.

He hadn’t trembled even once while performing cataract surgery on Zhang Sanfeng, yet now his hands shook nonstop.

“Doctor Xia, sorry to trouble you. You even managed to bring the Mongol imperial advisor here!” Zhang Sanfeng said apologetically.

“It’s alright. He was holding the princess hostage; I couldn’t just stand by. Thankfully, I was prepared. It’s chilly outside; let me help you back to the ward.”

So Xia Jingtian helped Zhang Sanfeng back to his ward.

That night, Zhu Yuanzhang did not come, but Crown Prince Zhu Biao visited Zhu Xiongying.

During this time, Zhu Yuanzhang had been busy preparing to select grand secretaries for the cabinet.

Candidates had been chosen, and a Wenhua Hall grand secretary was assigned to tutor the Crown Prince, so Zhu Biao had begun to have some free time and could visit his son.

“Empress, I’ve come to see Xiongying. How is the child’s recovery? Is he behaving well?” Zhu Biao asked with concern.

“The child is recovering very well now. The chickenpox has all crusted over and is healing. He takes his medicine on time every day and cooperates fully. He spends his days watching cartoons or playing with toys, and after eating, he sleeps. The child has gained five pounds,” Empress Ma said gloomily.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Xiongying’s body, which was fully scabbed over, some scabs already fallen. His little face looked plump, more radiant and rosy than before, which was very comforting.

“Mother, Xiongying is recovering so well. Why do you seem so down?” Zhu Biao asked curiously.

“Master Zhang has an eye disease and is being treated at the clinic, in the three-person ward next door. Yingrao ran into the clinic to help Master Zhang deliver a letter to Wudang Mountain but was taken hostage by the Mongol imperial advisor. Fortunately, Divine Doctor Xia wounded him with a pistol and saved your sister. I have sent him back to the palace. Make sure she stays put and doesn’t wander around!” Empress Ma replied.

“I will remember, Mother! The Master Zhang you mentioned is indeed Zhang Sanfeng, the Wudang sect leader. He’s actually here at the clinic?” Zhu Biao asked with interest.

“That’s right! He is already over a hundred years old but still very robust. Your father once sent people to Wudang Mountain to invite him and learn his secrets to longevity,” Empress Ma said.

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Zhu Biao went to the neighboring ward to visit Zhang Sanfeng, where Xia Jingtian was feeding him medicine.

“Junior Zhu Biao greets Master Zhang. I heard from Mother that you’re being treated here for your eye ailment, so I came to pay my respects,” Zhu Biao said respectfully.

“Poor Daoist greets His Highness the Crown Prince!” Zhang Sanfeng cupped his hands in greeting.

“Greetings, Your Highness!” Xia Jingtian echoed.

“Master Zhang, you have surpassed a hundred years and remain so vigorous, a true pillar of the martial world. Would you be willing to serve as the imperial advisor of the Ming dynasty?” Zhu Biao asked enthusiastically.

Most people would readily accept such an offer.

But Zhang Sanfeng replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Crown Prince, but I am old and can no longer endure much. My eyes are weak, and I do not wish to leave Wudang Mountain. Please do not hold it against me.”

Although rejected, Zhu Biao was not too bothered and chatted a bit more with Zhang Sanfeng before taking his leave.

Xia Jingtian sighed in admiration; Zhang Sanfeng was truly remarkable — even the Ming Crown Prince could not entice him to become an advisor.

But it was understandable; a man like Zhang Sanfeng had long transcended worldly fame and fortune and cared little for such things.

Three days later came the day to remove Zhang Sanfeng’s bandages.

Xia Jingtian carefully removed the bandages from Zhang Sanfeng’s eyes.

Zhang Sanfeng slowly opened his eyes and saw Xia Jingtian, a middle-aged man dressed in a red dragon robe, a young man in blue dragon clothing, Empress Ma, and Zhu Xiongying.

“Master Zhang, can you see us now? This is the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty, and this is the Crown Prince,” Xia Jingtian introduced.

“Poor Daoist Zhang Sanfeng pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince,” Zhang Sanfeng cupped his hands.

Zhu Yuanzhang, upon seeing Zhang Sanfeng over a hundred years old yet still so vigorous, was deeply impressed.

“Master Zhang, please do not mind the formalities. We have long heard of your immortal reputation. As the foremost figure in the martial world, healthy at over a hundred years, would you teach me the path to longevity?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked with curiosity.

“Your Majesty, in Taoism, we emphasize tranquility and non-action, indifferent to fame and fortune. True longevity comes only from caring for the realm, staying away from court politics, and retreating to the mountains and forests. Can Your Majesty do this?” Zhang Sanfeng replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless, unsure how to answer.

“Our Ming realm was fought for by my father over many years; how could I simply abandon it?” Zhu Biao said.

Xia Jingtian admired Zhang Sanfeng even more — he was truly extraordinary, even daring to make the emperor contemplate giving up the throne.

“Thank you, Divine Doctor Xia, for your skillful hands. I came in haste with nothing to offer. If you desire anything, I will fetch it for you back at Wudang,” Zhang Sanfeng said directly.

Xia Jingtian thought for a moment. “Master Zhang, I have been interested in martial arts since childhood and wish to apprentice under you to learn Wudang’s martial arts, so I can strengthen my body and protect myself.”

Zhang Sanfeng was taken aback; he hadn’t expected Xia Jingtian to want to become his disciple.

“You are already over twenty, beyond the ideal age to start martial arts. But I see your constitution is good; you can still learn. I will accept you as a registered disciple and teach you some self-defense skills for protection,” Zhang Sanfeng considered before replying.

Thud!

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Xia Jingtian knelt down immediately and bowed three times to Zhang Sanfeng.

“Master, I pay my respects to you!”

Zhang Sanfeng was surprised that Xia Jingtian was so straightforward, kneeling without hesitation.

“Good disciple, rise quickly!”

Zhang Sanfeng hurriedly helped Xia Jingtian to his feet.

The Divine Doctor System appeared once again before Xia Jingtian’s eyes.

[Congratulations, host, for successfully curing Zhang Sanfeng’s cataracts. You have earned 5,000 merit points and acquired a century-old martial art.]

Host: Xia Jingtian Merit: 21,600 points

Skills: Photographic memory, interpersonal skills, brilliant strategist, century-old martial art

“Xia Jingtian, you have knelt before me many times but never once knelt to anyone else. Yet now you kneel to Master Zhang,” Zhu Yuanzhang said somewhat displeased.

“A man’s knees are worth their weight in gold. One kneels to heaven, earth, and parents. A master is half a father, so I must kneel when taking a master,” Xia Jingtian replied frankly.

Zhu Yuanzhang approved of Xia Jingtian’s reasoning.

“Well said, a man’s knees are worth gold. Kneel to heaven, earth, and parents! I will witness this today. I hereby witness Master Zhang accepting you as his disciple. Also, you saved my daughter a few days ago. I have already rewarded you with money.

Now, I present you with this chest of medical books — all rare ancient texts — as your reward,” Zhu Yuanzhang said, pointing to a box of rare ancient medical manuscripts.

Xia Jingtian looked at the chest full of ancient books — over a hundred volumes, including those from the Qin, Han, Tang, and Song dynasties.

Seeing these rare medical classics, Xia Jingtian was happier than if he had received a chest of gold.

These were priceless treasures, preserved only by the royal family.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous gift!” Xia Jingtian said gratefully.

“I must take my leave now,” Zhang Sanfeng said, then leapt down from the second floor, stepping lightly on air as if descending a ladder, gliding over the courtyard, stopping at the moon gate, and pushing open the door to return to Wudang Mountain.

Everyone who witnessed this was utterly astonished.

“Master Zhang truly is an immortal, flying off like that over such a distance!” Empress Ma exclaimed.

“Master Zhang has transcended the mortal world and become a transcendent immortal. Truly a blessing for our Ming dynasty!” Zhu Biao said with admiration.

“Divine Doctor Xia, your medical skills are already remarkable. Now that you are Master Zhang’s disciple and will learn his unparalleled martial arts, your future is limitless.

There is one more matter: my father-in-law, Xu Da, suffers from a back ailment. I earnestly request Divine Doctor Xia’s help to treat him!” Zhu Yuanzhang said, looking at Xia Jingtian.