A very good medium-length novel. I am reposting it; moderator, don't forget to mark it as featured.
"The Real Martial World" Author: Eighteen Plus
1. From the moment I was born, I have been in the Tiansu Sect. At that time, Tiansu Sect was an obscure little sect, located on the northern frontier, embraced by great mountains. Many people who have never been to the north always think it must be extremely cold, especially the northern mountains, which are high, snowy, and frigid, a vast ice and snow world. Well, Tiansu Mountain would certainly dispel their illusions. Tiansu Mountain is not particularly grand, but it is still spectacular, with one stretch of cedar forest after another covering the mountains, and Tiansu Sect grew robustly within the enclosure of the mountain. Master Wufeng is the sect leader, and he named Tiansu Mountain and founded Tiansu Sect. It wasn't until many years later that I realized that Tiansu Mountain is actually a mountain in the Tianshan mountain range, located at the end of the range, quite unknown.
2. Before Tiansu Sect became famous, we never wanted to tell others which sect we belonged to. It wasn't because we felt embarrassed, but out of fear of awkwardness, because after you reveal your sect, many people would ask: "Ah? Is it the Tianshan Sect or the Xingxiu Sect?" After Tiansu became famous, this awkwardness became even more prominent because our achievements were all credited to others. Once, a fellow disciple went down the mountain, eliminated a local village tyrant, killed wild beasts that were harming the villagers, and helped them build their own happy life, leaving behind the great idea of "achieving moderate prosperity within thirty years." Before leaving, the village chief said, "Please leave your name, hero." The disciple dashing as he was, replied, "I have no name, I am a member of the Tiansu Sect." Later, the village chief led the villagers, carrying drums and blowing suona horns, to deliver gifts of eggs, lamb, and other items to the Tianshan Sect. What angered us the most was that after realizing he had sent them to the wrong sect, the village chief said to the slightly disappointed crowd: "I told you it was the Xingxiu Sect and you wouldn't listen. Now it's sent to the wrong place, how embarrassing." That disciple later went down the mountain and became the village tyrant in another village. This shows that everyone's contribution comes with a bit of expectation for recognition. Whether I accept it or not is my matter, but you must give me face. Since Tiansu Sect has always been nestled in the embrace of the mountains, with inconvenient transportation and little fame, the great upheaval in the martial world in the Central Plains that year had basically no impact on Tiansu Sect. While others were swinging knives and drinking blood, we were cutting melons and drinking tea, proving that being too famous is not always a good thing.A life without a name or family, as long as one is happy, is better than anything else. And it was also during that time that we unconsciously accumulated ‘substantial' strength. After the turmoil that year, the major sects suffered heavy casualties, with their entire energy severely damaged, which gave the Tianshu Sect a great opportunity to rise. We, with zero casualties in the entire sect—30 people unharmed, including five chefs, six servants, and two stablemen—preserved all our newly developed strength. Coincidentally, at that time, Master Wufeng had actually mastered a peerless divine skill. Unexpectedly, this news was first discovered not by our senior brothers but by a mountain firewood collector. According to the firewood collector, that day he went up the mountain to gather wood and noticed Master standing on a large rock at the foot of a hill, sending a palm strike toward the middle of the hill. Flickers of fire were faintly visible on the hill, followed by a loud boom, deafening, raising a vast cloud of dust and inhalable particles. When the dust settled, he found that Master Wufeng had actually smashed a large cave into the hill. The man then spread rumors everywhere that the Tianshu Sect leader had mastered a divine skill of astonishing power, invincible in the world, witnessed with his own eyes and truly authentic. This news, like ink in water, quickly spread throughout all corners of the martial world. Not only did this news shock the martial arts world, but it also changed our previous impression of our master as sloppy and despicable, revealing that it had all been an act for our sake. The old fellow's concealment was truly genuine. Not long after the news spread, leaders from famous sects like Shaolin and Wudang came to congratulate him. In fact, this is very easy to understand; when one day you become very wealthy and powerful, people around you will find all sorts of reasons to become your friends and relatives. ‘A white horse, red tassels, and new colors, not the relatives come close on their own. Once the horse dies, gold is gone, and relatives become strangers.' The master looked very happy facing the sect leaders, drank a lot of wine with them, and finally got drunk. During the feast, he said: 'Actually, this martial skill is very easy to practice. In the future, everyone in the Tianshu Sect will know it.' This completely stunned all the sect leaders present. Abbot Zhikong of Shaolin hurriedly asked: 'I wonder how this skill is so easy to practice, and where is the manual?' The master patted his own head and said: 'Here.' After saying that, he 'clattered' drunkenly onto the table, leaving a group of sect leaders and abbots staring at each other in disbelief.5. I think it's because people heard that it was “very easy to practice” and “anyone can practice,” that my followers suddenly increased, and a long line of people from the town came seeking instruction. The small town at the foot of the mountain was almost overwhelmed. They indeed greatly promoted the development of the local accommodations and catering industries, and many small shops started renovations and expansions. However, the master was strict, admitting only the best, giving priority to those with martial arts backgrounds or those transferring from other sects. Moreover, the number had to be limited to 366 people, including the five cooks, six servants, and two horsemen from before. I asked, “Master, why must it be 366 people?” The master said, “Because I am the sect leader, and I like it.” I said, “Just because you are the sect leader, can you do whatever you want? I want to be the sect leader too.” The master patted my face with his broad hand. It was swollen for three days.
6. I wasn't particularly interested in that peerless martial skill, but I was quite covetous of that cave. I always wanted to explore it, always felt that if it's a cave, it must be hiding many unknown secrets, and I was meant to uncover these secrets. The cave was like a black hole, attracting the curious child in me. My curiosity about it never ceased. But for some reason, the master blocked the cave with stones and warned us not to approach it. My senior brothers speculated that martial arts manuals must be inside, but I felt the master had other secrets. For instance, he would lock up candy and toys; he didn't like us eating candy, nor did he allow us to play with toys. I asked, “Master, why did you block the cave?” The master said, “I am the sect leader, and do I need to tell you why?” To avoid another pat, I shut my mouth.
7. I had never left Tiansu Mountain. The farthest I ever went was when I was little, my handsome senior brother took me down to a nearby town to a noodle shop to have wontons once. He told me, “Xiaocheng, when you grow up, you must go out and see the world. The world outside is wonderful, but the world outside is also full of helpless situations. When you feel that you can't manage out there, come back to Tiansu Mountain. Tiansu Mountain is your home.” I really understood this feeling. When you are disappointed, you prefer to return home. Watching the familiar faces ridicule you feels much better than watching strangers ridicule you. They call that familial affection.I said, 'Senior Brother, what if I end up so miserable that I can't come back?' Senior Brother said, 'This naughty child, why are you so pessimistic even before leaving the mountain? Be optimistic, be optimistic.' I said, 'Senior Brother, did you come back because things didn't go well for you outside?' Senior Brother cast his gaze into the distance, sighed, and said, 'This unlucky child, why are your words so poisonous?' I said, 'Aren't they?' Senior Brother said, 'Come, Senior Brother will teach you a phrase: "Where one can show mercy, do show mercy." Did you remember it? Yes? Very good. Xiao Cheng, actually, it's better for you not to leave Tianxu Mountain. Though you might be bored, you are very lucky. As for me, I am a man who has been hurt, and there are some things you are too young to understand. When you understand, you will understand me, your Senior Brother.' I remembered how Handsome Senior Brother once tried to show off in front of girls, ended up falling from the third floor and rolling down to the first floor. In the end, he refused to get up, lying on the ground playing dead, and whispered to us, 'Carry me away, carry me away.' Later, it was discovered he had multiple fractures and had to rest for three months. I thought it was for this reason, so I laughed and said, 'Senior Brother, aren't your fractures long healed?' Senior Brother gave me a look and said, 'I told you, you are still young, what do you know? For a man, no, for a person, the body can have many wounds, but the heart only has one scar, and every time it's hurt in the same place, just getting deeper each time.' This deeply touched my young heart, making me feel a profound respect for Handsome Senior Brother. When I grew up, I learned from others that after leaving the mountain, Handsome Senior Brother fell in love with a girl. They were deeply in love for a month, but two months later, the girl married the county magistrate's son, leaving Handsome Senior Brother a message: 'Actually, the one I like is not you. Thank you for all that you have done for me.' It turns out every person who has experienced unrequited love can become a good poet.
