Deep in the night, Jilin, who was wholly absorbed in his cultivation on the bed, suddenly heard a commotion coming from outside his window. He got up, walked over to the window, and through a crack in the shutters, caught a glimpse of a scene that left him unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Under the moonlight, Duan Yu's mother, Dao Baifeng, Zhong Ling's mother, and Mu Wanqing's mother were engaged in a fierce battle in the courtyard. Their figures intertwined, their moves fierce and majestic, resembling a fight to the death.
Meanwhile, Duan Zhengchun, Mu Wanqing, and Zhong Ling stood anxiously to the side like ants on a hot pan, shouting at the top of their lungs, "Stop! Stop fighting!"
Seeing this, Jilin initially had little interest in meddling in their personal feuds, but who could have expected that at this very moment, Ye Erniang and Yue Laosan would suddenly come flying in from afar, abducting Duan Yu. After dropping a few harsh threats, they swaggered away.
Anxious to see Duan Yu abducted, Duan Zhengchun felt a pang in his chest. He quickly circulated his inner energy, flashed forward, and instantly appeared before the three women currently locked in combat.
With a wave of both palms, a powerful surge of inner energy burst forth, forcibly driving the three apart. Following closely, he moved with lightning speed, tapping their acupoints in one fluid motion and instantly immobilizing the three women who had been fighting so fiercely.
On the other side, Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling anxiously rushed over to support their mothers, their eyes filled with deep concern and worry as they looked upon their pale faces.
By now, Jilin had already quietly followed behind Ye Erniang and the others, his footsteps as light as a ghost, making not a single sound. In no time at all, the group arrived outside the city walls of Dali.
Ahead, a man leaning on a crutch had clearly been waiting for a long time. He stood quietly, his stooped posture making it seem as though the crushing weight of the years kept him from straightening his spine.
Deep wrinkles were etched across his weathered face, every single line telling an endless story. His turbid eyes revealed a hint of vigilance and ferocity, as if he were constantly prepared to deal with any potential threat.
At that exact moment, the man seemed to sense something. He whipped around, his gaze piercing like a torch as he locked onto the direction where Jilin was hiding, and shouted loudly, "Who's there? Get out here!"
Before his voice even faded, the man used his crutch to flick up a nearby rock and hurled it fiercely at Jilin's hiding spot. The stone whistled through the air, carrying a fierce wind as if it intended to shatter everything in its path.
Yet Jilin's reaction was exceptionally swift. With a single dodge, he effortlessly evaded the strike. The rock crashed into the tree behind him, snapping the trunk with a loud crack—a testament to its immense force.
After steadying himself, Jilin slowly spoke, his tone calm and deep: "Outside Tianlong Temple, beneath the bodhi tree, a ragged beggar, a weeping Guanyin with flowing hair... I wonder if the once-hailed Taizi, now the head of the Four Evils, Duan Yanqing, still finds these things familiar?"
Hearing these words, Duan Yanqing's body gave a violent start, and the crutch in his hand froze mid-air. He widened his eyes, staring fixedly at Jilin as though he wanted to see right through him.
After a moment of silence, Duan Yanqing finally spoke, asking, "Who are you? How could you possibly know about these things?"
Jilin smiled faintly and replied, "This humble one is merely a passing traveler across the heavens, yet I happen to be fortunate enough to know a few secrets concerning Taizi. Coming here today, I simply wish to make a deal with you."
Taizi frowned, harboring a trace of doubt regarding Jilin's talk of a deal and some sort of traveler across the heavens.
A cunning glint flashed in Jilin's eyes as he smiled. "Aside from the Guanyin of that time, this humble one also knows that person even bore you a child. Of course, knowing such things requires a certain price."
Duan Yanqing's expression turned unsightly in an instant, and his body trembled involuntarily.
Gripping his crutch tightly, his voice cold and laced with urgency, he demanded, "Just what do you know? Tell me quickly! As long as you can reveal the truth, whatever you want, I will grant it without hesitation!"
Jilin, however, chuckled dismissively, answering in a relaxed tone, "My demands aren't high. You simply need to pass on the One-Yang Finger to me. Once you do, I will naturally tell you everything."
"Fine, I can teach you." Without the slightest hesitation, Duan Yanqing immediately pulled a tattered manual from his tunic and handed it to Jilin. Jilin took the manual, carefully opened it, and confirmed it was indeed the manual for the One-Yang Finger.
Jilin could not help bursting into a triumphant laugh, replying with satisfaction, "Very good, Taizi is indeed a man of his word. That being said, let us first find a safe place. I can chat with you while letting you personally demonstrate the power of this One-Yang Finger."
Duan Yanqing's gaze flickered uncertainly as he weighed whether this proposal was viable. In the end, he gritted his teeth hard, made up his mind to take the risk, and warned viciously, "Very well, but if you dare to deceive me and refuse to tell me the truth, I will certainly make sure you die without a burial site!"
After exchanging a few brief words with Ye Erniang and the others, Duan Yanqing watched as they quickly departed with Duan Yu, then followed Jilin away.
Jilin led Duan Yanqing to a secluded mountain cave. Once inside, Duan Yanqing immediately demonstrated the One-Yang Finger, pointing toward the cave wall. Several deep holes instantly appeared in the stone.
Observing Duan Yanqing's circulation method, Jilin noticed it was no different from what was written in the book.
Jilin immediately clapped in praise, then smiled at Duan Yanqing and said, "Such is the way of the world, Taizi. We had to be villains first before becoming gentlemen."
With that, Jilin took a deep breath and slowly recounted a long-buried past.
Upon hearing the story, Duan Yanqing finally learned the whole truth and burst into tears.
Back then, Duan Yu's mother, Dao Baifeng, had deliberately coupled with the heavily wounded and disfigured Duan Yanqing to exact revenge for Duan Zhengchun's infidelity, resulting in her pregnancy with Duan Yu.
When he finished speaking, Jilin looked at Duan Yanqing with a complex gaze and asked, "Does it feel like you've finally exacted a grand revenge? After all, judging by the line of succession, Duan Yu will inevitably become the Emperor of Dali in the end, so you could also consider this reclaiming your throne."
"Besides, whether your son or you take the throne, it's all the same."
Seeing Duan Yanqing standing there indifferent and unresponsive, Jilin stopped disturbing him and went outside to begin practicing the One-Yang Finger.
The next day...
Having spent the entire night in deep thought, Duan Yanqing walked out of the stone cave and looked at Jilin, who was still practicing his forms. He wore the expression of someone witnessing an incredible spectacle: "Just after a single night, how is it that your mastery of the One-Yang Finger has become so proficient?"
"Perhaps I am simply the legendary martial arts prodigy."
Observing Duan Yanqing, who now appeared relieved of a heavy burden, Jilin could not help asking, "What are your plans now?"
"I intend to go see Duan Yu, and then prepare to take monastic vows at Tianlong Temple."
Jilin followed Duan Yanqing into Wanjie Valley. The first thing that came into view was Duan Yu, who had been locked inside a room, with Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling keeping him company by his side.
The room where the three were locked up was in complete disarray, with clothing scattered everywhere.
Seeing the scene before him, Jilin could not help shouting internally in his mind: "What the hell! I remember these two women were still in the Dali palace last night!"
"Without a doubt, this was definitely arranged on purpose by Duan Yanqing."
"Still, this fellow Duan Yu seems even more formidable than his original counterpart..."
In the original story, Duan Yu was like a Sage who did nothing at all, yet now, not only did he fail to become a Sage, but he got two of them!
After all, when Duan Yu was abducted last night, he probably hadn't had time to learn that Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling were his nominal half-sisters, and thus he failed to resist the assault of the aphrodisiac.
Looking at the three still fast asleep, Jilin stepped forward and shook Duan Yu awake, while Duan Yanqing watched silently from the side. Upon waking up and seeing the two men before him, Duan Yu was dazed for a moment.
Jilin briefly explained the situation, leaving Duan Yu stunned and wearing an incredulous expression. He never imagined his parentage could be so complex, and that Duan Yanqing, the head of the Four Evils, turned out to be his biological father.
Duan Yanqing looked at Duan Yu, a trace of guilt and paternal affection flashing in his eyes. He decided to pass on all his martial arts to Duan Yu as compensation.
Duan Yu did not accept Duan Yanqing's goodwill, appearing completely listless and distraught.
"It seems he still can't quite accept this. You should leave first," Jilin said softly to Duan Yanqing beside him.
Not long after Duan Yanqing left, Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling woke up one after another.
When they saw the state they were in with Duan Yu, the two women let out a terrified scream. This sudden development gave Jilin a terrible headache, and he quickly stepped forward, attempting to stop their continued shrieking.
He told them to get dressed quickly...
At the same time, Duan Yu also regained his clarity and realized what had happened the previous night. Filled with remorse, he apologized to Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling, declaring his willingness to die to atone for his sins.
Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling were left completely at a loss by Duan Yu's sudden actions.
Watching the three of them, Jilin felt a sense of helplessness. He walked over to Duan Yu and said softly, "Young Master Duan, the three of you should tidy up first. We still need to rush back to Dali City; I imagine your parents are searching everywhere for you."
Hearing Jilin's words, Duan Yu snapped out of it as if waking from a dream. He hurriedly glanced down at his own disheveled state as well as that of Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling, then hastily pulled the two of them along to tidy up their clothes. Once everything was properly settled, the three followed Jilin onto the road back to Dali.
Along the way, Duan Yu pulled out all the stops trying to make Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling smile, hoping to help them forget their troubles. He told jokes, performed comical antics, and even produced various little trinkets to gift them.
Gradually, Mu Wanqing's attitude began to shift. She was no longer as icy toward Duan Yu as before, occasionally letting herself be amused by his humor. Meanwhile, Zhong Ling seemed increasingly dependent on Duan Yu, constantly clinging to his side and sharing all sorts of amusing anecdotes with him.
Finally, the group returned to the Dali palace. When Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling caught sight of their mothers, what followed next plunged them into profound agony.
As it turned out, Duan Zhengchun had revealed a shocking truth to them—they were both his daughters. Faced with this reality, Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling found it impossible to accept; their hearts were filled with conflict and pain. They had originally believed they could be with Duan Yu, only to now discover they shared a blood relation. This blow instantly sent their moods plunging to rock bottom, leaving them unable to let go for a long time.
Witnessing the scene before him, Jilin could not help whispering to himself, "I've seen people who screw over their fathers, but never one who screws over his son. If Duan Yu hadn't found out his true parentage by now, he really would have ended up with every woman he fancied being his own sister!"
As he thought this, Jilin mentally began counting Duan Zhengchun's daughters who had yet to make an appearance: "Wang Yuyan, Ahu, Aju..." The more he thought about it, the more amusing it became, and he could not help letting out a soft laugh.
"This Duan Zhengchun seems to only know how to father daughters, yet his only son turned out to be another man's seed. Tsk tsk tsk..." Jilin shook his head and sighed, an expression of amusement mixed with exasperation on his face.
Yet Duan Yu remained steadfastly by Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling's side, continuously comforting them and telling them that even if they were blood-related siblings, nothing could change the deep affection between them. He murmured softly in their ears a secret known only to him.
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Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling widened their eyes as they listened to Duan Yu's words, expressions of surprise and deep emotion gradually surfacing on their faces.
Because Duan Yu spoke in an extremely hushed tone, their parents standing nearby heard none of it.
By this time, the emotions of Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling had gradually calmed down, and they tightly clasped Duan Yu's hands. Seeing this, Jilin nodded with gratification, silently sighing in his heart, "Shipping them is so satisfying."
After the commotion subsided, Duan Yu quietly sought out his mother, Dao Baifeng, and from her lips, he confirmed the truth of his lineage.
In the days that followed, Duan Yu and the others maintained the facade of good siblings in public, while privately remaining affectionate young lovers.
During the days of Duan Yu and the others' romance, Jilin traveled extensively around Dali, with one of his most frequent destinations being Tianlong Temple.
Duan Yanqing, who had taken monastic vows and become a monk at Tianlong Temple, constantly offered pointers on martial arts to Jilin. Through continuous practice, Jilin's One-Yang Finger was now on par with Duan Yanqing's own.
This once again demonstrated Jilin's extraordinary talent to Duan Yanqing.
One day, while Jilin was wholeheartedly cultivating at Tianlong Temple, a young novice monk came to relay a message, saying that the imperial preceptor of Tubo, the Great Wheel Wheel King Jumozhi, had arrived to discourse on the Dharma.
Hearing this news, Jilin decided to go and observe, wishing to use this opportunity to test how much his own strength had grown. This grinding fanatic of the Tianlong scrolls, Jumozhi, happened to be a fitting opponent.
When Jilin arrived, he already saw several eminent monks of Tianlong Temple engaged in battle with Jumozhi. Spotting Duan Yu nearby, who was holding the manual of the Six-Melan Swords and trying to memorize it quickly, Jilin quietly drifted to his side and memorized the stances of the Six-Melan Swords right along with him.
By the time Duan Yu snapped out of it, Jilin had already memorized the Six-Melan Swords. Without waiting for Duan Yu to speak, upon seeing the monks of Tianlong Temple defeated, Jilin leaped forward.
Arriving in the grand hall, Jilin stepped firmly into place and stood facing Jumozhi. Jumozhi pressed his palms together in a salute and said, "This poor monk has come specially today to discuss Buddhist Dharma and martial arts with the eminent monks of your esteemed temple, and hopes for your guidance. I wonder whose person this young brother is in Dali?"
Jilin returned the salute and said, "Though I am neither a disciple of the Buddha nor a native of Dali, I have some slight understanding of martial arts and wish to exchange pointers with the Great Master."
With these words, the two of the moved into action. Jumozhi unleashed his Flame Blade, launching a fierce assault toward Jilin. With a flash of his movement, Jilin evaded the attack and immediately countered with the One-Yang Finger.
The two traded blows, neither willing to yield. Gradually gaining the upper hand by skillfully employing his Soaring Microsteps, Jilin unleashed punches as swift as a howling gale, leaving Jumozhi overwhelmed and struggling to cope.
Finally, spotting an opening, Jilin landed a punch squarely on Jumozhi's vital point. Jumozhi staggered back several paces and spat a mouthful of blood.
Cupping his fists, Jilin said, "You flatter me, Great Master." Jumozhi sighed, "Your martial arts are formidable, Benefactor; this poor monk is impressed." With that, the discourse concluded with Jilin's victory.
The crowd stepped forward one after another to congratulate Jilin on his victory. The Emperor of Dali personally bestowed generous rewards upon him.
Yet amidst the crowd, Jumozhi wore a smile that was hard to detect. He thought to himself inwardly, "This young man is truly formidable; it seems the Central Plains martial arts world still boasts no shortage of talented figures."
That night, Jilin went to where Jumozhi was lodging and proposed a trade: he was willing to exchange the One-Yang Finger for the other's Flame Blade.
Jilin had long since heard tales of the Flame Blade's might, and from the way Jumozhi utilized his inner energy in martial arts, he could tell the man was also a genius.
As for the archetype of a genius combined with a skill-grinding fanatic like Jumozhi, his sole flaw was being greedy for too much. Whenever he laid eyes on a divine martial arts manual, he wanted it. As the old saying goes, biting off more than you can chew brings indigestion.
This somewhat resembled Jilin himself, though Jilin only managed it thanks to the system's enhancement.
After careful consideration, Jumozhi decided to accept the deal. The two made a pact, and each obtained the martial arts manual they desired.
After Jilin departed, Jumozhi gazed with satisfaction at the manuals of the One-Yang Finger resting on the table. Though this trip to Dali had failed to secure the Six-Melan Swords, he had found a willow-shaded, flower-bright village around the bend and acquired the One-Yang Finger instead.
Meanwhile, rather than returning to the Dali palace, Jilin took advantage of the night, armed with his newly acquired martial arts, and continued onward along his journey.