Taiji Sword Sovereign
Chapter 1. Prodigy Cultivation Report (1)
The Wudang Sect's summit conference, held once every thirty years, was now underway.
After nearly two sichen of discussion, almost all matters had been decided, and now only one final matter remained. In truth, it could be said that the leadership had gathered here today for the sake of this final matter.
While other matters could be decided by the Nine Great Elders and the Sect Leader alone, this final matter required the participation of all the reclusive elders and those of Hall Master rank or higher to decide.
Before discussing that final matter, the Wudang Sect Leader, Xiaoyaozi, looked around the hall once. It was meant as a brief moment to catch his breath.
To his left sat the elders who had emerged from seclusion for the first time in thirty years; to his right sat the Nine Great Elders; and behind them stood the Hall Masters.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for him to open his mouth.
Xiaoyaozi sighed inwardly.
The reason he had become Sect Leader was purely due to his commercial acumen. His martial arts were not particularly strong, but his ability to make money was unrivaled, which had led to his elevation to Sect Leader.
Thanks to him becoming Sect Leader, Wudang had earned an enormous amount of money.
With the money earned, Wudang established branch halls throughout the martial world and carried out restoration work on Mount Wudang. Moreover, weapons and clothing were all replaced with high-quality goods, and the disciples no longer starved but could eat their fill.
Thanks to this, Wudang's current prosperity could be said to have reached its zenith.
And all of that was Xiaoyaozi's achievement. He was the most respected Sect Leader in history, and it was said that he had developed Wudang to nearly three times what it had been under the previous Sect Leader.
But regarding this final matter that he now had to bring up, he couldn't help but break into a sweat. It was precisely a problem concerning martial arts—his greatest weakness.
"Ahem, then let us move to the final matter. Grand Elder... please speak."
As prepared in advance, Xiaoyaozi passed this matter to the Grand Elder, his martial brother Xiaozhenzi.
Xiaozhenzi glanced at Xiaoyaozi once and slowly opened his mouth.
"Then allow me to speak. Our sect accepts new disciples once every thirty years. Of course, the gates of Wudang are always open, but the disciples accepted once every thirty years are all children under the age of three, who will be raised as important talents to carry Wudang into the next generation. Over the past six months, our sect, together with the branch halls, has selected one hundred of the finest prodigies. They are all orphans or children who have received their parents' consent. Those children are currently staying in their quarters located in the Inner Hall."
When Xiaozhenzi finished speaking, Wuxuzi, who could be called the chief of the reclusive elders, looked at the Sect Leader Xiaoyaozi and asked.
"Mmm, what does the Sect Leader intend to do?"
At Wuxuzi's sudden question—Wuxuzi was of his grandmaster's generation—Xiaoyaozi hesitated for a moment and then began to stammer.
"Ahem, in my... humble opinion... since they are all outstanding prodigies... we should teach them our sect's secret supreme arts from the very beginning..."
Bang!
Perhaps annoyed by Xiaoyaozi's stammering, Wuxuzi slammed the table and unleashed his fury.
"Speak more clearly, Sect Leader!"
"Yes, yes. In my humble opinion... we should teach those children our sect's secret supreme arts from the very beginning..."
His words could not continue. Because Wuxuzi's roar erupted again.
"Hmph, you call that speaking, Sect Leader?"
"Why... are you doing this?"
"You ask because you don't know? You intend to teach secret supreme arts to children who know nothing—do you think that is possible?"
"Ahem..."
Embarrassed, Xiaoyaozi quickly coughed and gave Xiaozhenzi a meaningful glance. Knowing what that gaze meant, Xiaozhenzi hurriedly opened his mouth.
"Grand Martial Uncle, the Sect Leader wishes to make them first-rate masters in a shorter period of time..."
But his words were cut off, and Wuxuzi's rebuke burst forth.
"You rascal, Qicheng! What manner of disciple did you raise, that he dares interrupt while I am speaking with the Sect Leader?"
Wuxuzi directed his rebuke at Abbot Qicheng, Xiaozhenzi's master, who stood behind him.
At this, Abbot Qicheng broke into a sweat and hurriedly replied.
"I-I am sorry, Martial Uncle. I raised such a lacking disciple due to my immaturity, so please punish me."
As he spoke, he bent his waist ninety degrees and bowed his head. At this sight, Xiaozhenzi began to break into a cold sweat.
Despite knowing Wuxuzi had a foul temper, he had never dreamed that such an act would occur in a gathering where everyone was present.
His master, Abbot Qicheng, was an old man who had turned eighty this year. To think such an old man was now bent at a ninety-degree angle, unable to raise his bowed head...
But Wuxuzi paid no heed to such Qicheng and looked at Xiaoyaozi again, speaking.
"Then let us assume we teach secret supreme arts from the start, as the Sect Leader says. In that case, what would be best to teach first?"
"Y-yes?"
"Ahem, I asked what would be good to teach first."
"Th-that is... how about starting with the Taiqing Baolu?"
He thought he had answered cleverly. But Wuxuzi let out a sneering laugh and said.
"Hahaha, starting with the Taiqing Baolu... to children not yet three years old, the Taiqing Baolu... if Qiwen, who has gone to the Immortal Realm, heard these words, he would beat the ground in his grave."
Abbot Qiwen was the previous Sect Leader and Xiaoyaozi's master, who had died three years ago.
As Wuxuzi mentioned Abbot Qiwen and let out a sigh, Xiaoyaozi's complexion grew even paler.
Unable to open his mouth, the pale Xiaoyaozi could only stand there as Wuxuzi sighed again and spoke.
"Haha, the Taiqing Baolu is one of our Wudang's three great martial arts, an immensely powerful art. Even this old man, who has trained for decades, has yet to fully master the Taiqing Baolu—do you truly think children not yet three years old could learn such a profound martial art, Sect Leader?"
"......"
Still speechless, Xiaoyaozi.
Wuxuzi, seeming to have resolved to offer Xiaoyaozi advice on this occasion, continued speaking.
"I am not unaware of how much effort the Sect Leader has made for our Wudang. And I know that since the Sect Leader began leading our Wudang, its power has expanded more than threefold. I also know that livelihoods have become plentiful. But listen, Sect Leader. Since Sanfeng Zhenren established himself on Mount Wudang, our sect has been a martial faction that built its fame through the sword, through martial arts. It is a place that made its name through martial arts, not through wealth or money. Of course, I am not unaware that the Sect Leader is busy. I know well that it is all for our Wudang. But it is regrettable. Why have you been so negligent in martial arts training? If other sects look down on our Wudang because of this, how will you face your ancestors?"
The words were far too direct. The shocked Xiaoyaozi's complexion turned ashen, as if he had bitten into something foul.
But as befitting the Sect Leader of a great faction, he soon maintained his composure and opened his mouth.
"Grand Martial Uncle's words are correct. I have not invested much time in martial arts until now. I will follow Grand Martial Uncle's orders from now on, so would you please calm your anger?"
When Xiaoyaozi easily conceded and said he would reform going forward, Wuxuzi could only smack his lips, unable to say anything more.
He had intended to deliver some stern advice if there had been any argument, but that had become impossible.
"Ahem, it is good that you know now. Then this old man will trust the Sect Leader."
"Thank you. I will endeavor not to disappoint you in the future. Then, may we begin the discussion on this matter?"
"Ahem, do so."
With Wuxuzi's permission, Xiaoyaozi looked around those present and opened his mouth.
"As you know, Elder Xiaozhen's knowledge of martial arts is far more extensive than mine. Therefore, I intend to leave this matter entirely to Elder Xiaozhen's direction. Does anyone object?"
No one raised their hand.
Xiaoyaozi inwardly rejoiced that he had safely overcome this crisis thanks to his quick wit, and promptly passed the floor to Xiaozhenzi.
"Ahem, then let us begin the discussion. Those with opinions, please raise your hand and speak."
When he spoke, one of the Nine Great Elders, Xiaoyouzi, raised his hand.
"Elder Xiaoyou."
"Mmm, first of all, I believe we should divide those children into two groups according to precedent."
"What do you mean by dividing them into two groups?"
"It would be best to follow precedent in that as well. Though they are all children with outstanding bone structure, if one examines them closely, there will be slight differences. It would be good to distinguish between those with superior bone structure and those slightly lacking, and differentiate what is taught to them."
"I believe we must decide this issue first. Is there anyone who wishes to refute Elder Xiaoyou's words?"
"......"
No one raised their hand. Meaning there was no one to object, Xiaozhenzi asked one last time.
"I shall count to ten from now. Those with differing opinions, please raise your hands within that time. One, two, three, four."
When he counted to four, one of the Nine Great Elders, Xiaohezi, quietly raised his hand.
"Mmm, it seems Elder Xiaohe has a different opinion. Please speak."
At this, Xiaohezi glanced at Xiaoyouzi's expression and opened his mouth hesitantly.
"I believe that method is too inhumane. Of course, it goes without saying that outstanding bone structure is necessary for learning martial arts. However, possessing outstanding bone structure does not necessarily make one a first-rate master. One may have excellent bone structure but lack in aptitude or talent. On the other hand, there may be children whose bone structure falls short but who possess innate perseverance or strong determination. Perseverance and determination are very important in learning martial arts. I believe it is unfair to discriminate learning opportunities based solely on bone structure. In my opinion, rather than dividing those children into two groups, we should grant them all equal opportunities."
When he finished speaking, Wuxuzi let out an exclamation of admiration.
"Oh, Qiming. Are you there?"
Then one of the elders standing behind approached Wuxuzi's side.
"I am here, Martial Uncle."
Wuxuzi tapped Abbot Qiming's shoulder and exclaimed again.
"Oh, you truly have an exceptional disciple. How did he come up with such admirable thoughts?"
At this, a faint smile formed on Abbot Qiming's mouth.
There was no master who would feel bad upon hearing his disciple praised.
With these words, Wuxuzi indirectly expressed his support for Xiaohezi's opinion over Xiaoyouzi's.
Xiaozhenzi glanced at Wuxuzi and opened his mouth.
"A new opinion from Elder Xiaohe has been presented. Are there any other differing opinions? I shall count to ten again. One, two, three, four..."
This time, no one raised their hand even when he counted to ten. At this, Xiaozhenzi looked around those present and spoke.
"Then we shall choose one of the two opinions. Those in favor of Elder Xiaoyou's opinion, raise your right hand; those in favor of Elder Xiaohe's opinion, raise your left hand. Now... please raise your hands."
Swish. Swish.
Each began to raise their hand. Some raised their right, some their left...
Xiaozhenzi began counting the number of those who raised their right hands and those who raised their left. And when he finished counting, he opened his mouth.
"Right hands, seventeen. Left hands, forty-one. In accordance with the principle of majority rule, we have decided to accept Elder Xiaohe's opinion. Then, does the Sect Leader agree to this matter?"
When Xiaozhenzi finally asked for Xiaoyaozi's opinion, Xiaoyaozi merely nodded.
Because he felt that, for this final matter at least, it was best for his well-being to speak as little as possible.
There was no need to needlessly offer an opinion and reveal his ignorance regarding martial arts.
Once Xiaoyaozi nodded, Xiaozhenzi finally spoke.
"Then it has been decided that the one hundred children will not be divided into two groups, and equal opportunities will be granted to all. Songyuan, record this."
Xiaozhenzi spoke to Abbot Songyuan, who was tasked with recording the meeting in one corner.
Upon hearing Xiaozhenzi's words, Abbot Songyuan diligently moved his brush to record the decided matter.