The White Lotus Sect was a notorious band of rebels in Changle County. They had once swept across the entire region, and it took the Changle County Government Office immense effort to suppress them.
Afterward, the White Lotus Sect went from operating in the open to the shadows. They no longer made public appearances, instead moving between influential families and remote villages. This strategy of decentralization made the White Lotus Sect one of the few rebel forces that, despite not being particularly strong, the Court found incredibly difficult to eradicate and a constant nuisance.
’But... that was about the extent of it.’
Having transmigrated twenty years ago, Wang Ping knew the current state of the world like the back of his hand. From his perspective, the Da Shun Dynasty was clearly not on its last legs yet.
The Court still maintained control over the local regions.
Although discontent was simmering among the populace, it was confined to the countryside. The influential families within the county seats were actually quite satisfied with the Court and harbored no ill will.
Thus, the Court still held the "hearts of the people."
Under these circumstances, the White Lotus Sect could only appeal to the lowest rungs of society, swindling the Common People in the countryside. They might not be exterminated, but it would be very difficult for them to grow any larger.
So when the Government Office secretly contacted him, Wang Ping—who had only joined the White Lotus Sect to make a living—immediately chose to turn his coat and side with the authorities.
From then on, he became an informant.
’It’s not like being an obedient rebel in the White Lotus Sect is a bad life, but for me, siding with the Court offers much greater opportunities.’
In the courtyard, having finished his meal, Wang Ping slowly stretched his limbs. He formed his hands into the shape of a lotus flower, pressed them firmly against his lower abdomen, and began to slowly massage his Dantian with his fingertips.
"Well now, not bad at all."
Just then, the young Daoist Xie Shi pushed open his door and emerged. He looked at Wang Ping and nodded in approval. "Junior Brother, you’ve learned the ’Planting a Lotus in Fire’ technique quite well."
"’The tortoise and serpent coil, securing life and fate, yet from within the fire, a golden lotus one can create.’"
This was the introductory Martial Art of the White Lotus Sect. It involved using the Lotus Hand Seal to massage the acupoints around the Dantian, circulating one’s Qi and Blood. Over time, it could significantly improve one’s physical stamina.
Wang Ping patiently continued the massage for a full hour, stopping only when he was drenched in sweat and his legs felt unsteady. He couldn’t help but marvel internally, ’This hand seal really has some kind of Profound Mystery to it. It’s just a simple massage, yet it has the effect of a high-intensity workout. My years of hard practice weren’t for nothing.’
"That’s enough for now."
Not far away, Xie Shi smiled. "An excess is as bad as a deficiency. Any more practice and you’ll injure yourself. Besides, Master is planning to see you this afternoon. It’s time he taught you a real Martial Art."
"...A Martial Art?"
Wang Ping blinked. Thinking back to the Profound Mystery of ’Planting a Lotus in Fire,’ a flicker of anticipation ignited within him. ’Could this backwater place actually be a low-fantasy world?’
Soon, the two returned to the Daoist Temple.
The dozen or so sect members suspected of being traitors were still under house arrest in the main hall. The old Daoist, however, had come out and was stretching his limbs in the Daoist Temple’s courtyard.
A smile spread across the old Daoist’s face when he saw Wang Ping and Xie Shi approaching.
"Ah, you’re here."
Without a moment’s hesitation, Wang Ping dropped to his knees and bowed. "Your subordinate greets the Sect Leader."
The old Daoist’s eyes narrowed in satisfaction at his words. He then waved a hand dismissively. "How many times must I tell you? Don’t stand on ceremony. I have no fondness for such empty rituals."
"I understand."
Wang Ping lowered his head but did not actually rise, his tone and expression remaining as respectful as ever.
"I told you there’s no need for that." The old Daoist shook his head with a helpless sigh and said gently, "I’ve called you here this time to pass on our sect’s ultimate Martial Art to you."
"My Daoist name is Shouchong. From now on, you are not to call me Sect Leader."
Wang Ping blinked.
’Don’t call him Sect Leader? Then what am I supposed to call him?’
"You silly boy." Seeing Wang Ping’s blank expression, Xie Shi chuckled. "Outside this door, you can call him Master or Sect Leader, and he won’t mind."
"But now that you’ve entered this door, what should you call him?"
...
Wang Ping knew exactly what was happening. ’They’re trying to win me over. But isn’t this old bastard being a little naive? He thinks a single Martial Art is enough to buy my loyalty?’
Sure, he had some hopes for this so-called Martial Art, but how powerful could it really be?
’Wake up, old man, times have changed!’
’Talk about Martial Arts? You might as well talk about modern weaponry!’
In his opinion, unless the old Daoist could whip out a Maxim machine gun with infinite ammo, there was no future in rebelling with him.
Seeing Wang Ping’s simple-minded look, the old Daoist didn’t get angry. He simply reached into his robes, pulled out a palm-sized, shimmering silver dagger, and weighed it in his hand.
"The secret, ultimate Martial Art of our White Lotus Sect is called the Moonlight Lotus Saber," Shouchong began. "It is a flying dagger technique. If you can cultivate it to the Perfection Realm, you will grasp a military stratagem known as ’A Flower Blooms in a Single Thought.’ Master this, and I guarantee you a place of renown throughout the Da Shun Eight Dao and Twenty-four Prefectures."
Wang Ping was thoroughly unimpressed.
’Moonlight Lotus Saber? The name’s pretty enough, I’ll give it that. And a ’stratagem’ called ’A Flower Blooms in a Single Thought’? Please. No matter how fast a flying dagger is, can it be faster than a bullet?’
’It’s all bullshit...’
BOOM!!!
The next moment, a world-shaking BOOM shattered Wang Ping’s wandering thoughts. The deafening roar left him frozen in place, utterly stunned.
A moment later, he snapped out of his daze and whirled around to look behind him.
There, where a rockery several times the height of a man had once stood, was now nothing but a pile of shattered rubble. It had been completely blown apart.
And on the Wall of Reflection behind the rockery, the dagger that had been in the old Daoist’s hand a moment ago was now embedded dead center. A dense web of cracks radiated outward from the dagger in all directions, making it seem as if pulling the blade free would cause the entire wall to crumble into dust!
’Holy shit...’
The next moment, finally understanding what had happened, Wang Ping whipped around again. His eyes burned with a fervent heat as he stared intently at the smiling old Daoist, Shouchong.