Chapter 35: How About Mount Tai

Indeed, throughout the entire affair, Linghu Chong and Wang Jingyuan had exerted great effort and rightfully deserved the Taishan Sect's gratitude. Yet, the gift they received gave much cause for discussion.

After all, each of the Five Mountain Sword Sects possessed their own healing medicines, the most famous being the White Cloud Bear Gall Pill of Hengshan. In the original tale, Linghu Chong, grievously wounded and near death, took the White Cloud Bear Gall Pill and rested for a day and a night, after which his wounds healed completely. However, the Taishan Sect was not renowned for any secret healing remedies.

The healing medicine carried by the Taoist of the Heaven’s Gate was likely brought as a precaution, intended for use on themselves. Now, as a token of gratitude to Linghu Chong, it seemed rather perfunctory.

It appeared that some of Linghu Chong’s earlier remarks had truly displeased the Heaven’s Gate Taoist. But Linghu Chong was straightforward and uncomplicated, so he could not sense it.

As for the promise made to Wang Jingyuan by Heaven’s Gate, if it were just a simple technique or two, that would be ordinary. But what if it were followed by the words...

“Wang Junior Nephew, speak up—what do you wish to learn?”

What one wishes for, one receives; wasn’t this the moment it came?

No sooner had the Taoist finished speaking than Wang Jingyuan’s eyes brightened. “I wish to learn your sect’s ‘How to Conquer Mount Tai’.”

The NPC had already opened the door; naturally, one would choose the most valuable reward. At such a moment, no player would politely decline.

Hearing Wang Jingyuan’s request, the Taoist’s brow immediately furrowed. His master once said that ‘How to Conquer Mount Tai’ was the pinnacle of Taishan swordsmanship—every strike hits its mark, and killing does not require a second move.

Yet, the Taoist was not reluctant to teach because the technique was formidable but because it was exceedingly difficult and abstruse. Even his master only had a superficial understanding. For decades, no one in the Taishan Sect had mastered this form.

Wang Jingyuan’s desire to learn it seemed unrealistic to the Taoist. As the leader of Taishan, he could not repay kindness with a single, nearly useless technique.

In a deep voice, the Taoist said, “It seems you have heard of this technique, Junior Nephew Wang. But do you know that ‘How to Conquer Mount Tai’ is no ordinary sword skill? It requires wielding the sword with one hand while using the other to calculate with fingers.

“The essence lies not in the sword moves but in arithmetic. You calculate the enemy’s position, their martial arts sect, their stature, the size of their weapon, the height of sunlight—many complex factors. Once calculated correctly, the thrust will never miss.

“However, this form is too profound. For decades, no one in our sect has deciphered it fully. Junior Nephew Wang, please choose another.”

Wang Jingyuan smiled. “Perhaps Senior Brother Heaven’s Gate cannot see it, but I am actually a genius. If someone is willing to teach, I can learn all the martial arts in the world. If you doubt me, Senior Brother Heaven’s Gate, just try and see.”

The Taoist’s brow tightened further. How could this child speak such nonsense? He urged him several times, but Wang Jingyuan insisted on learning ‘How to Conquer Mount Tai’ and nothing else. After all, among the Taishan sword techniques, this was the most valuable; no fool would settle for less.

After several unsuccessful attempts to dissuade him, the Taoist ceased and called Wang Jingyuan close, beginning to explain the intricacies of ‘How to Conquer Mount Tai.’ Chibaicheng, a disciple of Heaven’s Gate, stayed nearby. His master had not asked him to step aside, so he remained, though he was confused and soon lost the thread.

Linghu Chong and Lin Pingzhi, however, understood the etiquette well; they moved to an inner chamber and closed the door behind them.

[Heaven’s Gate Taoist is teaching you ‘How to Conquer Mount Tai’]

[Do you wish to learn? Yes/No]

[Yes]

Though only an introduction, Wang Jingyuan grasped all the checkpoints of ‘How to Conquer Mount Tai’ clearly. He realized this sword technique was essentially an Excel spreadsheet filled with formulas.

The sword moves themselves were quite ordinary—mostly straightforward thrusts, about a dozen variations. The calculations were formulas derived from the accumulated battle data of predecessors.

Parameters such as position, height, weapon size, and terrain all had corresponding calculation mnemonics and values. In battle, one selected parameters based on reality, began finger calculation, and the output fed into the next parameter’s calculation.

After all parameters were computed, a code emerged which dictated the exact thrust to execute.

The formula was ready-made; what mattered was the speed of inputting parameters and performing calculations. Naturally, if there was no time to finish, one could still strike, but the more parameters included, the more precise the result.

If one was unfamiliar with the calculations and only managed to process one parameter before the enemy’s attack, it would be better to forgo calculations and use other sword techniques.

No wonder the locals found it difficult—this technique was completely counterintuitive. In battle, one ignored everything else and frantically input parameters to calculate; once finished, simply followed the result without hesitation.

Setting aside calculation speed, humans were not computers. What if one misjudged the enemy’s height and input the wrong data? What if a miscalculation occurred? The formula was a statistical summary from big data; what if it lacked representativeness for this particular enemy?

After obtaining the result, could one truly trust the calculation was error-free and boldly thrust the sword accordingly? If hesitation caused the opportunity to pass, would one need to recalculate? If one doubted the result and modified the strike subjectively, then why use this technique at all?

Wang Jingyuan shook his head. Other martial arts were simple: adapt to terrain and circumstances. This technique was like solving a math test in an instant—correct calculations guaranteed victory; errors meant death.

Having learned it, Wang Jingyuan felt no regret. He drew his sword, angling it downward with his right hand while counting with his left fingers, eyes fixed on the Heaven’s Gate Taoist.

The Taoist, wary, also drew an ancient sword from behind his back, assuming the opening stance of the ‘Eighteen Plates of Mount Tai,’ but did not strike, waiting for Wang Jingyuan’s calculation.

Soon, Wang Jingyuan’s left hand clenched into a fist. The Taoist initiated his sword move, only to find Wang Jingyuan’s thrust pass cleanly through his sword, aiming straight at his throat.

[‘How to Conquer Mount Tai’ proficiency +1]

The Taoist channeled inner strength, twisting his sword to parry Wang Jingyuan’s blade. Wang Jingyuan was merely testing, hardly exerting any force or inner energy.

The Taoist easily deflected the sword aside.

Standing with his sword sheathed, the Taoist looked at Wang Jingyuan with a complex expression and sighed, “Youth is truly formidable!”

How could such talent not have joined our Taishan Sect?

Chibaicheng also wore a look of astonishment. He had just heard of this sword technique from his master, who said it was extremely difficult to learn.

Yet, how had Junior Brother learned it in mere moments?