Chapter Forty-Nine: An Elevation of the Heart

“Ding... Congratulations to the host for killing Mu Gaofeng. You have received two hundred reward points.”

The system’s prompt echoed in his ears, and Yang Wenhao’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Ever since that palm strike against Mu Gaofeng, the man’s fate had already been sealed.

Now he stood at the foot of Mount Hua, ascending the stone steps that stretched like a dragon up to the summit.

It wasn’t long before he reached the halfway point, where he was stopped by two men.

This was the main gate of the Mount Hua Sect, guarded by disciples as was customary, and all visitors like Yang Wenhao had to be announced.

“Please let your superiors know that Yang Wenhao has come to pay his respects,” Yang Wenhao said.

“Yang Wenhao!” Both gatekeepers were startled upon hearing his name.

Yang Wenhao was a bit surprised himself. “What’s wrong? Do you two know me?”

“There’s probably no one in the martial world who doesn’t know your name,” one Mount Hua disciple replied with a grin. “You killed Luo Renjie of the Qingcheng Sect and Fei Bin of Songshan, and you’re still alive and well. Qingcheng and Songshan are searching for you right now.”

Yang Wenhao smiled lightly. “Please go ahead and announce me.”

“Alright, wait here.” The disciple nodded, then turned and walked into the sect.

Mount Hua held no animosity toward Yang Wenhao; on the contrary, he had saved their senior brother, earning their goodwill.

After a short wait, the disciple who had gone to announce returned.

“Our sect master invites Young Hero Yang to the main hall for a meeting,” the disciple said with a polite gesture. “Please follow me, Young Hero Yang.”

“Very well.” Yang Wenhao nodded and followed.

Led by the disciple, Yang Wenhao was brought to a large hall.

In his impression, sects often had grand palaces, but Mount Hua was different.

It was more like a family than a sect.

No vast halls, no excessive decoration.

The entire Mount Hua Sect gave Yang Wenhao the feeling of poverty and simplicity.

As he entered the hall, a middle-aged man approached from the side.

“Young Hero Yang, it is an honor to have you here. Forgive me for not greeting you sooner,” Yue Buqun said with a gentle smile, his hands clasped in greeting.

Yang Wenhao returned the gesture. “Greetings, Sect Master Yue.”

“Please, have a seat.” Yue Buqun remained courteous.

Once Yang Wenhao was seated, Yue Buqun inquired, “May I ask the purpose of your visit to Mount Hua?”

Yang Wenhao replied, “I’ve come to seek Brother Linghu for a discussion of swordsmanship.”

“Oh,” Yue Buqun nodded slightly. “But my disciple has committed a mistake and I have sent him to the cliff of reflection at the rear mountain to meditate on his actions. I’m afraid he cannot come out to meet you.”

“I see,” Yang Wenhao said. “Then I beseech you, Sect Master Yue, to allow me to visit Brother Linghu at the cliff of reflection.”

“This…” Yue Buqun hesitated. The cliff of reflection was an important place in the rear mountain of Mount Hua. As the sect master, he could not simply allow Yang Wenhao to enter.

“How about this,” Yang Wenhao suggested, “I wish to stay here for several days. Of course, I’ll pay for all expenses.”

As he spoke, Yang Wenhao placed a silver ingot on the table.

Yue Buqun’s eyes glinted when he saw the silver, then softened. “Since Young Hero wishes to stay at Mount Hua, we shall treat you with every courtesy. And I will instruct all of Mount Hua to keep your presence here confidential.”

“My sincere thanks, Sect Master Yue.” Yang Wenhao bowed.

Truth be told, Yang Wenhao hoped that Qingcheng and Songshan would come looking for trouble, so he could earn more points.

But since Yue Buqun had spoken thus, there was no room for argument.

As for money, Yang Wenhao never lacked it.

Especially now, with nearly a thousand points at his disposal, he could exchange them for enough wealth to become a merchant of considerable standing.

“Da You,” Yue Buqun called.

A thin, sharp-looking man entered from outside.

“Master,” he greeted, clasping his hands.

Yue Buqun instructed, “Take Young Hero Yang on a tour of Mount Hua.”

“Yes, Master.” The thin man nodded, then turned to Yang Wenhao. “Young Hero Yang, please follow me.”

“Certainly,” Yang Wenhao replied.

Outside, the thin man said, “Young Hero Yang, my name is Liu Da You. If you don’t mind, you can call me Monkey.”

Yang Wenhao smiled gently. “Then you don’t need to call me Young Hero all the time. Just use my name—Yang Wenhao.”

“I can’t do that.” Liu Da You scratched his head, looking troubled. “You’re Master’s guest. It wouldn’t be proper to address you so casually.”

Yang Wenhao shook his head. “So many rules in sects. Well, suit yourself.”

“Come, Young Hero, I’ll take you to the peach blossom grove in the rear courtyard. It’s beautiful there,” Liu Da You said.

“Alright.”

Though Mount Hua was far from luxurious, it possessed everything one might desire. The peach blossom grove was a scenic spot.

It was the month of peach blossoms, and the entire grove was in full bloom.

As Yang Wenhao and Liu Da You arrived, even Yang Wenhao was captivated by the profusion of blossoms.

Here, he seemed to find a sense of ‘stillness.’

“Ding... Congratulations to the host for attaining the first stage of heart cultivation. You have been awarded five hundred points and ten Quiet Mind Pills.”

[Quiet Mind Pill: Upon consumption, it optimizes the state of mind, greatly enhancing cultivation and immersion in the state.]

“The first stage, is it?” Yang Wenhao murmured.

According to the system, there were seven domains and five stages. The seven domains were akin to the seven great realms of cultivation; the five stages referred to five states of mind.

The first stage: the heart is restless, calmness is scarce, thoughts wander through myriad realms, choices are transient, considerations and measurements abound, like wild horses—this is the common man’s heart.

The second stage: calmness is scarce, restlessness prevails, restlessness is drawn into the heart, but the heart scatters and is hard to control; one must harness restlessness, which marks the beginning of the path.

The third stage: calmness and restlessness are balanced, stillness seems to be harnessed, but not yet constant; stillness and scattering are equal, diligent application gradually brings proficiency.

The fourth stage: calmness prevails, restlessness is scarce, the heart becomes proficient, restlessness is immediately harnessed, one focuses on a single realm, losing and regaining quickly.

The fifth stage: the heart is purely calm, unmoved even when provoked, as a result of proficiency and steadfastness.

Yang Wenhao was now at the first stage: the heart is restless, calmness is scarce, thoughts wander through myriad realms, choices are transient, considerations and measurements abound, like wild horses—this is the common man’s heart.

In other words, he did as he pleased, following his own desires.

The sudden improvement in his state of mind took him by surprise.

As he admired the endless peach blossoms, he heard the sound of metal clashing from not far away.

Yang Wenhao turned to Liu Da You. “What is that sound?”

Liu Da You replied, “It’s probably Little Sister and Brother Lin practicing their swordsmanship.”

(End of chapter)