The hazy moonlight quietly sprinkled on the branches of the snow-covered poplar trees. A few pheasants, dragging their long tails, were continuously pecking at some grains in the snow. In the silent night sky, other than the occasional roar of wild beasts, there was no other sound.
In the carriage that couldn't be considered very spacious, Zhao Zilong and the coachman who sent him to the south sat opposite each other. The coachman's forehead was high. Although his head was already gray, his eyes, which were clearly smaller than ordinary people's, looked exceptionally spirited.
He was called Yu Fu, the steward that Zhao Wu especially assigned to Zhao Zilong. As Zhao Zilong was going to the south to learn martial arts, Yu Fu was the only one who escorted the royal heir of Zhao Clan on the surface. As for whether Zhao Mansion had assigned someone to follow them secretly or not, it was unknown.
When Zhao Zilong was in Zhao Mansion, he was spoiled and indulged by his family members; therefore, he had read a lot of strange novels. Of course, he was yearning for the gratitude and resentment of men and women in Jianghu. According to the conventions in the novels, the one who could escort the son of a major clan to travel alone must be a powerhouse in Jianghu. However, after traveling for half a month, Zhao Zilong didn't find any trace of a powerhouse in Jianghu.
'How to explain it? ' 'If this steward of Zhao Mansion is really a powerhouse who could leap onto eaves and vault over walls and cross a river on a reed, he should be as spirited as me, a spoiled childe. ' However, on the way, before Zhao Zilong felt tired, this powerhouse had started to complain that he couldn't walk anymore and insisted to stay for a rest. Zhao Zilong couldn't refuse him; therefore, he could only nod and agree with him.
Gradually, no matter how Yu Fu boasted, Zhao Zilong just replied with a smile on one side. As for the anecdotes in Jianghu that Yu Fu talked about, Zhao Zilong was not interested in them. Over these years, he had long read a lot of novels about chivalry. As for the legendary powerhouses in Jianghu who could break a river with one finger and turn their breath into frost, he didn't believe in it.
One day, the master and the servant finally left the territory of Youzhou Province. If they kept going south, they would arrive at their destination, Lingzhou Province, in less than 2 months. Although Zhao Zilong and Yu Fu were not in a hurry along the way, they would not delay their journey. Just like now, they couldn't find any inn in the wilderness, so they simply sat opposite each other in the carriage. The carriage was not big, but it was big enough for them.
After nearly a month of bumpy travel, Zhao Zi Long, whose body wasn't very sturdy, looked even thinner. Yu Fu looked at his master's appearance and felt a little distressed. He was also a senior of the Zhao Mansion, and the young man in front of him had grown up under his watch. Although Zhao Zilong's actions in Huaining City seemed to have softened his temperament, it was precisely because of this that the seniors of the Zhao Mansion liked this Young Master from the bottom of their hearts.
Zhao Zilong looked at the absent-minded Yu Fu sitting across from him. Coupled with the roars of beasts coming from outside, he couldn't help but feel a little afraid. He took the initiative to start a conversation, "Uncle Yu, can you tell me more about practicing martial arts? I was sent by Father to Jiangnan to learn martial arts, so I can learn some general knowledge in advance, so that I won't panic. "
When Yu Fu heard Zhao Zilong's words, he suddenly came back to his senses. He stretched out his hand and patted his forehead. Then, he chuckled at Zhao Zilong, "This old servant had forgotten about this. Fortunately, Young Master reminded me. Otherwise, if something really went wrong, I, Old Yu, would become the eternal sinner of the estate. Wouldn't I be scolded to death by the old master when I return?"
Taking a deep breath, Yu Fu first organized his thoughts in his mind to make sure that he didn't miss anything. Then he said, "When it comes to practicing martial arts, the earlier the better. Just like those martial arts aristocratic families in Jianghu, which of them doesn't have their descendants train their muscles and bones from an early age and use all kinds of precious medicinal herbs to nourish their bodies. When they reach the age to practice martial arts, the elders in the family will then plan their future path in advance according to their situation."
Seeing Zhao Zilong's expression dim, Yu Fu quickly changed the topic. "But the path of martial arts still depends on one's own talent, perseverance, and so on. Those famous sects in Jianghu have many good-for-nothing disciples. On the other hand, the children of Jianghu who have never been taught by a famous teacher and have walked their entire lives on the wild path, are not without outstanding people. Old Yu knew what the young master was worried about. It was nothing more than thinking that it was too late for him to learn martial arts. Everyone in Jianghu knew this, so how could the Great General not understand? Young Master, please be at ease. Since the Great General chose to let you start learning martial arts at this time, he must have made thorough arrangements. "
After listening to Yu Fu's words, Zhao Zilong's originally worried heart gradually calmed down. Yes, his father must have arranged everything for him. He only needed to follow his father's instructions. There were not so many things that would make him worried.
After thinking through this, Zhao Zilong's mood also became much better. He smiled and motioned for Yu Fu to continue speaking.
"Next, I'll talk to the Young Master about the martial arts realms of Jianghu. This old servant only heard some of it from hearsay. Young Master, for the time being, just treat it as a joke. Just listen and don't take it seriously. It is said that before our Jiangchu Dynasty pacified the six countries, the division of martial arts realms was actually not clear. Each country had their own set of standards. This caused a second rank martial artist of one country to become a third rank or first rank martial artist in a neighboring country. Think about it, when two people of similar strength compete, one claims to be a first rank martial artist and the other claims to be a third rank martial artist. However, if the first rank martial artist is accidentally defeated by the third rank martial artist, wouldn't that be a huge joke? So, before the Central Plains was unified, Jianghu was actually very chaotic. Those so-called Jianghu people were mostly hot-blooded and impulsive. They often drew their swords at the slightest disagreement, not to mention fighting for fame. "
Taking off the wine gourd at his waist, he slowly drank two mouthfuls. Clicking his tongue, Yu Fu narrowed his eyes and continued, "Those Jianghu Wanderers fought to their heart's content, but in the end, weren't the common people the ones who suffered? It wasn't rare to see Wanderers directly fighting in the streets of the city. They wandered everywhere in this vast world, so they didn't have that many scruples. If they smashed a roadside stall, who would pay for it? Even if those Wanderers were willing to pay for it, would the common people really dare to ask for it? So, for the stability of the dynasty and to let these Jianghu people know their place, our Jiangchu Dynasty immediately set a standard for the cultivation of martial artists after conquering the Central Plains. All martial artists who can't break armor are considered to be unqualified. Young Master, do you know what armor this so-called Armor Breaking is supposed to break? "
Zhao Zilong was engrossed in listening, but he didn't expect Yu Fu to keep him in suspense. After thinking carefully, he probed, "Could it be our imperial court's Godly Mecha Armor?"
Yu Fu was slightly taken aback when he heard this, then laughed loudly, "Young Master, you're thinking too much. The Godly Mecha Armor is the special armor of our dynasty's number one Godly Mecha Battalion. How can it be easily broken by ordinary martial artists? This Armor Breaking is actually just an ordinary standard armor of the dynasty. However, during the Seven Nations Competition for Supremacy, our Jiangchu Dynasty's armor had the best defense and could block swords and sabers. So, it's actually not easy for martial artists to break armor. In the Jianghu, they can barely be considered to be qualified. Those who break three armors and below are all seventh grade martial artists. Those who break three armors and below five armors are sixth grade. Those who break five armors and within ten armors are fifth grade. Those who break ten armors and within twenty armors are fourth grade. As for the first, second, and third grade realms, I heard that it's not just based on the number of armors broken, but also the length of one's breath and the depth of one's inner force. As for the specifics, this old servant doesn't know. This old servant still hopes that when Young Master becomes one of those rare first grade experts in the future, you can tell this old servant in detail about the pros and cons. "
Zhao Zi Long smiled. His mood was much better after listening to Yu Fu's explanation. However, he still had some doubts in his heart. He continued to ask, "Uncle Yu, since there is no clear division between the first, second, and third grades, how many such experts are there in the martial arts world?"
Yu Fu stared blankly at the question, then replied with some uncertainty, "It is rumored that there are no less than a hundred third grade experts in the Jianghu, so the Jianghu knows a lot about the experts among these experts. However, second grade experts are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. There are only about ten experts who are publicly acknowledged. As for those first grade experts who come and go without a trace, and are even crowned as Earth Immortals, this old servant has never heard of anyone in the Jianghu who has reached that realm. However, it is said that five hundred years ago, Ancestor Lu of Wudang Mountain was such an outstanding person, and three hundred years ago, a Buddhist monk was also at that realm. As for the most recent one, it should be an immortal named Zhun Ti from the Daoist sect more than a hundred years ago. It is said that this immortal once cut off the Canglan River with a finger. As for whether there are other first grade immortals, this old servant doesn't know. "
These words dazzled Zhao Zi Long, and he was looking forward to the Jianghu that he was about to come into contact with.
There were more than a million people in the Jianghu. How many people in the Jianghu didn't yearn for that legendary realm? People in the Jianghu had their own Jianghu affairs, which couldn't be explained by a few jars of wine or a few treasured swords.
It was said that people in the Jianghu would die in the Jianghu, and lovesickness in the Jianghu was the most hurtful. As for those scholars and doctors who said that it was better to forget each other in the Jianghu, it was better to forget each other in the Jianghu. These words could only coax those weak and self-pitying scholars, but the people in the Jianghu wouldn't fall for it.
The scenery in the Jianghu was so beautiful, it was no wonder that generation after generation of people in the Jianghu would fall for it. For a moment, Zhao Zi Long couldn't help but be ambitious. He snatched the wine gourd from Yu Fu's hand and drank it in one gulp.
"Cough, cough."
Seeing Zhao Zilong's flushed face after being choked by the wine, Yu Fu was also in a good mood and grinned at the side.
The Jianghu, oh the Jianghu.
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