Chapter 41: Refining the Legacy

Through their conversation and recalling the "Fifteen Discourses on Establishing the Teaching by Chongyang" of the Quanzhen Sect, Qiu Zhiqing finally understood that the "Quanzhen Heart Method" was truly nothing more than the foundation-building chapter of the "Innate Skill", and both served as keys to entering the doorway of internal alchemy.

Although one could break through the door without a key, how could that compare to the speed and ease of opening it directly with one?

He had entered the Dao and could now introspect his own body. It sounded rather impressive, yet its practical utility seemed limited. Aside from a slight enhancement in his sensory perception compared to the past, his martial arts had not shown any remarkable, leaping progress.

Therefore, Qiu Zhiqing reached a conclusion: his cultivation of internal alchemy perhaps merely strengthened his senses, having seemingly little to do with the formidable nature of his martial arts.

Perhaps it was simply because his own cultivation level was not yet sufficient; after all, wasn't his grandmaster the undisputed number one in the world?

Just as Qiu Zhiqing's thoughts were running wild, a single sentence from Tan Chuduan startled him right out of his reverie!

After the Seven Masters of Quanzhen exchanged glances, Tan Chuduan gave a light cough and said, "Zhiqing, since you are all here today, we senior brothers have some matters to impart to you..."

???

How was everyone here? Turning his head, he noticed that the heads of the one hall and five pavilions were all present. Combined with himself, the entire current leadership echelon of the Quanzhen Sect was gathered right here. He could not help but find it somewhat comical and ironic—just how long had he been daydreaming? How had everyone managed to assemble in this brief moment?

"Following this inner sect grand tournament, if there are suitable disciples, we should admit a few more into the inner sect. Otherwise, after we depart, the entire Quanzhen inner sect will be left with a mere twenty-odd people, which will hardly be enough to sustain the framework of the Quanzhen Dao..."

Inner sect disciples were not all apprenticed directly under the Seven Masters of Quanzhen. There were also those who had entered the Daoist registry without taking a formal master, who were simply placed under Ma Yu's name, albeit without a formal apprenticeship ceremony!

Subsequently, Ma Yu produced the fruits of their secluded cultivation: the newly revised and compiled "Quanzhen Heart Method" and the "Zixia Skill". After examining these two heart methods, Qiu Zhiqing could not help but admire the wisdom of the Quanzhen Seven Masters, as well as their profound understanding of Quanzhen doctrine and interpretation of Daoist scriptures.

Qiu Zhiqing mentally compared them with the analysis he had previously conducted and discovered that the newly compiled heart method accommodated the commonalities of a far greater number of people than Wang Chongyang's earlier version.

To translate this into plain terms: the entry threshold remained unchanged and just as low, yet the cultivation efficiency was considerably higher!

Every individual's meridians and acupuncture points possessed subtle variations. Assuming the collective baseline value of everyone is ten, Wang Chongyang's previous heart method could accommodate seven, whereas this newly compiled version raised that accommodation to eight! In the future, as there were more disciples and an even greater number of people practicing this heart method, it might very well be pushed to nine, or even ten!

Furthermore, the "Quanzhen Heart Method" was not only a low-threshold mental technique; much like the Quanzhen doctrine of the integration of the three teachings, it was entirely about seeking common ground while reserving differences!

The meridians and acupuncture points involved were those that the Quanzhen Seven Masters had identified over the years, using a comparative method similar to the one he had previously employed, to find the identical meridians and acupuncture points shared by the majority of people. Circulating inner energy through these meridians was known as "seeking common ground," which could better nurture disciples and help them enter the path.

Meanwhile, since everyone's meridians and acupuncture points had subtle differences, the method could circulate automatically when practicing seated meditation, marking the first glimpse of the threshold—the first realm. When it circulated autonomously between conscious and unconscious states, this was the second realm of the "Quanzhen Heart Method," stepping into the hall.

At this stage, the heart method adjusted itself, preliminarily adapting to one's own meridians. The final realm was complete naturalness, where walking, standing, sitting, and lying all featured uninterrupted, automatic circulation, achieving perfect harmony and fluency, making it most suited to oneself. This was the third and ultimate realm of Great Vehicle! This was the embodiment of "reserving differences" within the "Quanzhen Heart Method"!

This was also why the creator of a martial art technique was exceptionally formidable, yet when teaching it to others, those students could never reach the creator's level!

This version by the Quanzhen Seven Masters took a step further upon the foundation of "seeking common ground," while the "Zixia Skill" could simply be described as a more advanced version of the "Quanzhen Heart Method"—which was why Qiu Zhiqing had initially suggested naming it "Quanzhen Heart Method Part Two."

However, that name had been vetoed by Hao Datong!

After reviewing both secret manuals, Qiu Zhiqing handed them over to Yin Zhiping, bowed respectfully to the Quanzhen Seven Masters, and said:

"Master, esteemed martial uncles, you have all worked hard. Might it be appropriate to designate the first edition of the 'Quanzhen Heart Method' as the 'Basic Heart Method' to be practiced by the outer sect disciples, while the newly revised 'Quanzhen Heart Method' by you esteemed uncles is given to the inner sect disciples? The 'Zixia Skill' can be practiced by the leaders of the various halls and pavilions. Master, esteemed uncles, what do you think of this arrangement?"

Hao Datong pondered for a moment and said, "Is it somewhat inappropriate to rename the 'Quanzhen Heart Method' created by our late master into the 'Basic Heart Method'?"

"There is nothing inappropriate about it. Fresh bamboo shoots rise higher than the old bamboo branches, entirely relying on the old trunks for support. His Elder himself would not wish for us to be bound by his achievements!" These words were spoken by Tan Chuduan. As the primary party involved, Ma Yu naturally found it inconvenient to voice his opinion!

As soon as these words were spoken, the remaining members of the Quanzhen Seven Masters nodded one after another in agreement. Ultimately, Ma Yu made the final decision: they would proceed according to Qiu Zhiqing's proposal...

Qiu Chuji was still quite satisfied with their collective achievement. Stroking his beard, he smiled and said:

"In this endeavor to readjust the 'Quanzhen Heart Method,' Zhiqing's contribution is immeasurable! Had Zhiqing not humbly sought guidance from Elder Cuixuxuzi, we would not have broken through our Daoist bottlenecks so quickly. It is a pity that during our last trip to Lin'an, matters were so complicated that we were unable to thank Elder Cuixuxuzi in person. It is truly a matter of deep regret..."

Since their senior masters had already emerged from seclusion, it was naturally time for them, as disciples, to report on the progress of their respective responsibilities!

Among them, Chen Zhiyi, who was in charge of the Dao Registry Pavilion, stepped forward and said:

"Master, Headmaster Uncle, esteemed uncles, ever since our Chongyang Palace opened the outer sect system, over the past two months, many outer sect disciples have come and gone at will. Some even learned the cultivation methods and hastily descended the mountain. Furthermore, because Senior Brother does not prohibit the outward transmission of martial arts, many surrounding villages have now begun practicing our Quanzhen martial arts. If this continues for long, it may lead to disaster! I implore the Headmaster Uncle to think twice!"

Had it not been for this junior brother's usual diligence and conscientiousness, Qiu Zhiqing would have almost thought he was targeting him!

Ma Yu and the other six Quanzhen masters all looked toward Qiu Zhiqing, and Ma Yu asked, "Zhiqing, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

"Reporting to Master and esteemed uncles: the current political situation is turbulent. Disciple's intention was merely to enable the people in the surrounding villages and stockades to possess some self-preservation capability. Moreover, for anyone wishing to practice the 'Quanzhen Heart Method' to a profound level, studying Daoist classics is indispensable; by then, people will naturally choose to enter our Quanzhen Daoist sect. Even if some remain solitary wanderers, it matters not. At the very least, we must give them a measure of self-preservation so they do not become lambs led to the slaughter!"

Before the Quanzhen Seven Masters could express their stance, Zhao Zhijing leaped out and said:

"Junior Brother speaks with such noble righteousness, yet he fails to realize that one who wields a sharp blade naturally develops the intent to kill. Especially in recent days, uprisings against the Jin Dynasty court are intensifying across the Guanzhong plains, and most of them are spearheaded by those outer sect disciples who learned their skills and descended the mountain. The Jin Dynasty's Jingzhao Prefecture has already sent multiple letters of reprimand to our Quanzhen. Junior Brother never bothers to check these things himself, but I! Have seen them all with my own eyes..."

The Quanzhen Seven Masters sat quietly in the front rows without uttering a word, and Qiu Zhiqing naturally would not personally lower himself to argue with him in the arena!

"Senior Brother's words are somewhat biased. Since autumn, the Mongol armies have frequently harassed the various routes of Guanzhong. Instead of contemplating counterattacks, the Jin Dynasty blindly arrests civilians to reinforce their so-called Guanzhong-River defense line, coercing the populace to migrate to Henan and plundering mercilessly at the slightest dissatisfaction. If those disciples whose homes are in Guanzhong do not rise up in resistance, are they expected to stretch out their necks for the slaughter? May I ask Senior Brother Zhao, what kind of logic is that?"

The one who stepped forward to object was still Chen Zhiyi. In charge of the Dao Registry Pavilion, his earlier remarks stemmed from a fear of Quanzhen martial arts leaking outward, rather than any fear of being held accountable by the Jin court like Zhao Zhijing.

His family home was in Guanzhong, and his family members had been abducted by Jin soldiers, their whereabouts unknown. Before entering Quanzhen, he had been raised on meals provided by the hundreds of households of the Guanzhong elders, so he could naturally never agree with Zhao Zhijing's absurd remarks!

"Pointless resistance only brings about more brutal slaughter. They need only obey orders; how many more could possibly die..."

"Stop talking!" This time, before Zhao Zhijing could finish, Qiu Chuji completely lost his temper and exploded!

Glancing at Wang Chuyi, he said, "Senior Brother! Are these words spoken by a human? A spine-dog is no better than this! What kind of Dao are they cultivating? What kind of martial arts are they practicing?"

This criticism was exceptionally blunt, and Wang Chuyi's already somewhat ashen complexion darkened by several shades.

Zhao Zhijing also realized he had spoken out of turn, especially when he noticed the strange gazes everyone present was casting his way, which only served to fill him with a mixture of anger and humiliation.

At this moment, Qiu Zhiqing knew it was time for him to step in and say something. After all, it was his policy that had triggered this turmoil. Qiu Zhiqing first offered an apology, saying:

"Master, esteemed uncles, please calm your anger! Senior Brother Zhao must be under a great deal of stress managing outer sect affairs, which is why he uttered such foolish words. In this disciple's view, there are numerous affairs across the one hall and five pavilions. It would be better to select some experienced martial brothers and assign two deputy assistants to each of them..."

Having said this, he glanced at Zhao Zhijing and continued, "In view of the possibility that Senior Brother Zhao might be under excessive pressure, how about temporarily appointing him as the Deputy Head of the Self-Cultivation Pavilion? The position of Head of the Self-Cultivation Pavilion can be filled by Cui Zhifang, Senior Brother Wang's disciple. I wonder what Master and esteemed uncles think of this?"

The senior masters exchanged glances, their eyes filled with gratification. Especially Ma Yu, who looked at Qiu Zhiqing with the expression of a parent watching a child finally grow up, a look that made even Qiu Zhiqing feel slightly overwhelmed.

And so the matter was settled...