Little did Song Qingshu realize that this was not the realm of Yitian Tulongji he had initially presumed, it was different in many ways.
As Zhou Zhiruo spoke of Guo Jing and Huang Rong—the defenders of Xiangyang, Dongfang Bubai residing atop Blackwood Cliff, and Xiao Feng, the formidable King of Khitan Southern Academy who had stirred up a tempestuous storm within the Central Plains martial arts scene, Song Qingshu's countenance grew increasingly animated.
Through subtle insinuations and subtle hints, Song Qingshu's peculiar expression finally confirmed the truth—he found himself in a world intricately woven from Jin Yong's fourteen novels.
In this realm, the Song and Liao dynasties had locked horns for over a century. It had led to the emergence of two Jurchen tribes in the Liao Kingdom's rear—the Heishui Jurchen tribe and the Jianzhou Jurchen tribe. In a monumental clash, they launched a direct invasion into the heart of the Liao Kingdom, nearly obliterating it entirely. Fortunately, a nomadic tribe known as the Mongols rose to power on the grasslands, launching attacks on the Jin Kingdom's rear. Consequently, the Jin Kingdom ceased its assault on the Liao Kingdom, redirecting its forces to confront the Mongols.
Presently, the two nations found themselves in a stalemate within the Yellow River Basin, with the Tongguan line at Chang'an serving as the frontline. The Liao Kingdom managed to catch its breath and fortify the Inner Mongolia region of Shanxi while forging an alliance with the Mongols, who were gradually displaying signs of resurgence.
The Jianzhou Jurchen tribe established the Manchu Kingdom, eventually conquering the beleaguered Ming Dynasty and seizing control of the vast territories of Liaodong, Hebei, Shandong, and Yangzhou.
At present, the only nation established by the Han people was the Song State, located south of the Yangtze River. They relied on natural barriers to fend off the relentless southward push of the nomadic cavalry.
Within this world, Mongolia stood as the most formidable power, yet it was embroiled in a fierce struggle to unify the various tribes. The sons of the Great Khan Temujin had perished in battle, leaving only a scant number of remaining generals from the same generation or nephews. However, fortune smiled upon them as the exceptional grandsons of the third generation of kings emerged. Xu Liewu, the sixth emperor's grandson, followed in the footsteps of the esteemed Great Khan Temujin, leading the Mongolian main forces on a daring expedition to the west. Dividing their troops into two, they launched assaults on Khwarazm and the Eastern European Federations, while the other group set its sights on the mighty Persian and Arab nations.
Prior to Temujin's Western Expedition, he had entrusted his late righteous brother Mu Huali's son, Ruyang King Chahan—also the father of Zhao Min—to lead an army in conquering the Western Regions. He suppressed Mingjiao and the Hui tribes, effectively curbing the expansion of Xixia.
The intricate tapestry of this world slowly unfolded before Song Qingshu, captivating his attention with its web of political intrigue and martial prowess.
Unbeknownst to Song Qingshu, Kublai Khan, the formidable grandson of the four emperors, had mustered an army to besiege the Kingdom of Jin at Tongguan in Chang'an. Simultaneously, he dispatched Mengge, another capable general, to launch an assault on the Southern Song Dynasty from Sichuan. Tragically, Mengge met his demise on the battlefield, prompting Kublai Khan to incorporate his troops into his own forces. Now, the rising star of the Mongolian kings, Wancheng, was commanding an audacious campaign. He aimed to conquer Luoyang and Chang'an in the north, while simultaneously setting his sights on Xiangyang in the southern Song Dynasty.
Meanwhile, Alibu, the grandson of the Seventh Emperor, positioned his army on the Mongolian prairie, eyeing the Manchu Qing Dynasty. However, he faced formidable opposition from Kangxi, the young master of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, who possessed great acumen and strategic prowess. Kangxi formed an alliance with the Heishui Jurchen and the Kingdom of Jin, their combined might seemingly overshadowing the coalition forces led by Alibu and the Liao Kingdom.
Amidst this tumultuous landscape, smaller frontier nations such as Tubo and Duan in Dali struggled desperately for survival, their plight barely warranting detailed mention.
As Song Qingshu absorbed this shocking information, doubts and trepidation gnawed at his core. He pondered whether this truly represented the convergence of the worlds depicted in Jin Yong's fourteen novels. In the depths of his mind, he sensed a glimmer of hope, realizing that there was a person within the confines of Shaolin Temple who could provide him with the answers he sought.
Declaring his intention to take a stroll, Song Qingshu received an indifferent nod from Zhou Zhiruo. A sly smile graced his lips as he muttered to himself along the way, "This woman's affections for her husband are truly feeble. It seems only Zhang Wuji can stir the depths of her emotions..." After a considerable time, he finally recognized that his primary concern should lie in restoring his meridians and surviving in this exceedingly chaotic world, rather than harboring unwarranted jealousy towards Zhang Wuji.
Venturing forth, Song Qingshu arrived at the Sutra Pavilion of Shaolin Temple. He explained his purpose to the Zhike monk, who, upon learning that he was the husband of the Emei sect's leader, dared not overlook him. Recognizing his desire to peruse Buddhist scriptures, the monk guided him inside after the necessary registration. "Song Shaoxia, this temple always welcomes those who are destined to seek enlightenment through the scriptures. The first floor houses an array of sacred texts for your perusal. You are free to browse at your leisure. However, the second floor of the Sutra Pavilion is where we safeguard the temple's martial arts classics. As a non-disciple, I beseech you not to trouble the humble monk by venturing there."
"Thank you, Master. I will abide by your wishes," Song Qingshu replied, aware that the monk's words were uttered out of courtesy. The second floor of the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion was a prohibited area within Shaolin Temple, zealously guarded by skilled masters. Even if he possessed the strength to subdue a chicken, which he currently did not, gaining access would be an impossible feat.
Song Qingshu aimlessly flipped through the scriptures, initially disinterested in the task at hand. However, he was secretly searching for a specific individual.
After meandering for what felt like an eternity, Song Qingshu could no longer conceal his disappointment. The person he sought remained elusive, leaving him to question the validity of his assumptions.
"Huh~" Unbeknownst to him, he had unwittingly arrived at a dimly lit corner where the words "Langa Sutra" caught his eye. Memories of the "Nine Suns Manual" being concealed within its pages flooded his mind, and Song Qingshu's hand trembled with anticipation as he reached out to open it.
Although he knew full well that Zhang Wuji had already mastered the Nine Suns Manual, thereby affirming its absence within the Cangjing Pavilion, a glimmer of hope still flickered within Song Qingshu. Alas, his hopes were dashed as the pages revealed emptiness, prompting a sigh of disappointment to escape his lips.
"Amitabha!" Startled by the resounding cry of the Buddha behind him, Song Qingshu swiftly turned around, only to find a gray-clothed monk standing silently in his wake.
The figure before Song Qingshu was garbed in the humblest attire of Shaolin Temple, clutching a weathered broom. His emaciated frame and disheveled appearance gave the impression of an ailing old caretaker. Sparse, white wisps of facial hair adorned his face, and to any casual observer, he was an inconsequential presence. Yet, to Song Qingshu, his mind swirled with a maelstrom of conflicting thoughts. Astonishingly, the nameless monk who had eluded his search now stood before him, a living reality.
"Junior Song Qingshu pays his respects to the Master," Song Qingshu bowed with profound reverence.
"Hmm?" Wuming, taken aback by Song Qingshu's deference, felt a surge of curiosity. "I am no master, merely an observer who noticed Song Shaoxia's wanderings in the Sutra Pavilion. I observed as you perused various scriptures until your eyes landed on the 'Langa Sutra.' However, upon perceiving its contents, you exhibited disappointment. Intrigued, I decided to make your acquaintance."
"The younger generation took a chance, only to realize their delusions. Hence, a tinge of disappointment crept in," Song Qingshu cautiously replied, choosing his words carefully.
"I have spent over four decades in the Sutra Pavilion, and if my memory serves me right, there was once a copy of the 'Nine Suns Scripture' hidden within the 'Langa Sutra.' However, it was eventually taken away," Wuming shared, his curiosity piqued. "May I ask what Song Shaoxia was seeking? Is there something specific?"
Song Qingshu hesitated for a moment, then confessed tactfully, "To be honest, Master, I was hoping to ascertain the presence of the 'Nine Suns Manual' within its pages."
"Oh~" Wuming erupted into a hearty laugh, undeterred by the secrecy surrounding Song Qingshu's knowledge. Instead, he expressed genuine concern, "If I recall correctly, Song Shaoxia's meridians have been severed, rendering even the discovery of the 'Nine Suns Manual' futile in your current state. Why burden yourself with concerns about cultivation?"
"I implore the Master to save me," Song Qingshu blurted out, his excitement overriding his composure. The realization that this enigmatic monk might be his sole salvation overwhelmed him.
"Song Shaoxia, your life is no longer in immediate peril, so why seek salvation?" Wuming extended a helping hand, urging him to rise. "If your aim is to restore your martial arts, I regret to inform you that your meridians have been irrevocably severed. No human power can revive them, and I am no exception."