Chapter Eighty: Competing for Disciples

  On that day, when Zhao Ji proposed the plan for passing on his skills to a disciple, many people were moved, but no one took immediate action.

  That day, Song Yuanqiao didn't look the slightest bit interested, but unexpectedly, his speed was the fastest, and with a speed that was faster than lightning, he took in two disciples.

  Song Yuanqiao took the lead, and Yuan Chengzhi couldn't sit still anymore. He directly asked Zeng Dashan: "Master Zeng, I want to take your young son as my apprentice. Are you willing?"

  "It's an honor for my family, Zeng Wu, to have you as a teacher."

  A flash of surprise crossed his face, and Zeng Dashuai hastily agreed.

  Zeng Hu and Zeng Bao were taken as disciples by Song Yuanqiao. Zeng Da Zhuang saw this and felt a little envious, so when Yuan Chengzhi said he wanted to take Zeng Wu as his apprentice, he didn't hesitate at all, just thinking of quickly grasping the opportunity.

  "Alright, since Big Brother Zeng has agreed, I'll accept Zeng Wu as my disciple."

  A faint smile remained on his face as Yuan Chengzhi said with a fairly good mood.

  "Zeng Hu, come quickly and pay your respects as a disciple."

  Zeng Dashuai was overjoyed and hastily called out to Zeng Hu.

  In the school founded by Zhao Ji, Zeng Hu was the youngest student, only five years old. He was more sensible than ordinary children of the same age, but often very confused and unable to distinguish right from wrong or understand worldly affairs like adults.

  As for what it means to pay respects to a master, Zeng Wu didn't know the specifics, but under Zeng Da Zhuang's orders, he still obediently kowtowed and offered wine.

  "Haha, alright, it seems that Mount Hua Sect has also established a legacy in the Heavenly Realm."

  Yuan Chengzhi drained the cup of wine in one gulp and let out a loud, hearty laugh, looking extremely pleased.

  Since childhood, Yuan Chengzhi has encountered great difficulties. Fortunately, he met "Divine Sword Immortal Ape" Mu Renqing and was accepted as his disciple, which enabled him to gain fame in the world of martial arts later on. It can be said that he owes a lot to the Huashan School.

  He came to the Tianjie, after a period of confusion, under Zhao Ji's inspiration, he had the idea of accepting apprentices and passing on the Huashan School tradition. Today, it has come true, how can he not be happy?

  "Brother Yuan, congratulations on taking in a good apprentice. But if you ask me, one disciple is not enough, you should take another one."

  With a faint smile, he first congratulated Yuan Chengzhi and then, after a turn of conversation, Zhao Ji suggested.

  "Take in another disciple? Don't you have a better recommendation?"

  Yuan Chengzhi was taken aback and asked.

  "If I were to say, since you've accepted Zeng Wu as a disciple, why not also accept his sister Zeng Xiuxiu as a disciple? It would be a great story for the siblings to study under the same master."

  Zhao Ji directly said, having long since prepared his speech.

  During these days in Zeng's village, thanks to the care of Zeng Dazhuang, Zhao Ji, although not a person who would repay kindness with great generosity, still wouldn't mind giving him some benefits at the right time.

  He furrowed his brow and gazed afar at Zeng Xiuxiu's table, Yuan Chengzhi hesitated: "This one?"

  "Yuan Dage, your Huashan School shouldn't have a rule like Wudang and Shaolin that doesn't accept female disciples, right?"

  Seeing Yuan Chengzhi hesitating, Zhao Ji decided to add another push and persuaded him, saying: "Women practicing martial arts are indeed much more difficult than men. In many places, they are not as good as men, but it's not necessarily impossible to achieve success."

  "Alright, for your sake, Zhao Yi, I'll take on another disciple. But that's it."

  Yuan Chengzhi hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.

  Many martial arts masters place great importance on their family's heritage, but when it comes to accepting disciples, they are reluctant to accept too many, often adhering to the principle of valuing quality over quantity.

  "Zeng big brother, why don't you quickly go and get Da Yu over here to pay respects as a master?"

  Zeng Dazhuang was still there in a daze, and Zhao Ji heavily patted his shoulder to remind him.

  "Ah, ah, okay, I'll go now. Thanks a lot this time, Brother Zhao."

  Zeng Da Zhuang was both shocked and delighted, and he thanked him very much.

  In this ancient-like society, women's status is inferior to men. However, if his own daughter can have a good future, Zeng Dazhuang is still very happy.

  "It's just a small effort, go quickly."

  Zhao Ji smiled faintly and did not take credit for it.

  When Zeng Xiuxiu went to pay homage, the villagers present cast envious glances at Zeng Dazhuang, Zeng Xiuxiu and Zeng Wu. The Zeng family also received many such glances.

  The bandits from the Green Forest Stronghold came twice, and Zhao Yu and Ding Dian took drastic action, killing them in a most miserable manner. The display of their mighty power made all the villagers even more respectful and fearful.

  Having a child of one's own become the apprentice of such a master is what every villager hopes for, and Zeng Yu and Zeng Dazhuang's children achieved this goal, naturally making the villagers envious.

  "Tianhong Master, Wudang and Huashan have all had their legacies in the heavenly realm. As Shaolin, the Mount Tai of the martial world, would you be willing to fall behind others?"

  Both eyes gazed at the sky rainbow, Zhao Ji smiled and said.

  "The world's martial arts originated from Shaolin, and the inheritance of Shaolin Sect cannot be broken. Unfortunately, among the 72 ultimate skills of Shaolin, I have mastered less than ten."

  Shaking his head and sighing, Tian Hong's expression was somewhat melancholic. But in the blink of an eye, he regained his composure and said loudly: "Today, I, Lao Chan, will pass on the legacy of Shaolin in the Heavenly Realm, spreading the Buddhist Dharma. If anyone is willing to join my Shaolin, you may come forth."

  Tian Hong's words stirred up the villagers present, and one by one they got up from their seats, pulling over their own children to join Shaolin.

  Seeing the villagers were all very enthusiastic, Tian Hong's mouth corner brought a smile, and he said loudly: "Shaolin belongs to Buddhism, with more rules and regulations. Shaolin disciples must become monks, and are not allowed to approach women, eat meat, kill or do evil..."

  Tian Hong's words were like a mighty push, and the villagers were stunned, unsure of what to do. As for letting their own children join Shaolin, they also had more doubts.

  Not approaching women, not eating meat and fish, and not allowing killing, are all very difficult for most people to accept. The Zeng family has been hunting for generations, making a living by hunting, and naturally they would be even more resistant to these rules. Moreover, passing on the family lineage was extremely important in ancient times, and these family heads could not possibly let their children become monks.

  So although many people were interested at first, after Tiantang explained the rules of Shaolin, no one was interested in Shaolin anymore.

  After waiting for a long time, no one was willing to take him as their master. Tian Hong was stunned and his face turned unpleasant for a moment.

  "Heh heh, Tianhong Master, this isn't the lower realm, it's the heavenly realm. The situation is quite different here. It's hard to say whether there are any Buddhist sects here or not. Therefore, if Shaolin wants to continue its legacy, some changes will be necessary."

  With a faint smile, Zhao Ji beckoned to Tian Hong and said seriously: "You can take in secular disciples first. As for Buddhist disciples, there's no rush. You can develop them slowly as the situation permits."

  "Sigh, it can't be helped."

  After thinking for a moment, Tianhong nodded in agreement.

  Shaolin secular disciples, without too many clear rules and regulations, Tian Hong recruited his first two disciples, Zeng Mu and Zeng Shi, also known as Er Dangzi and Shitou.