Chapter 30: The Cloud-Bearing Star-Pressing Sword

By the time Zhang Tiantai finished his instruction, it was already the following morning, and Meng Yuxi had managed to memorize seven or eight-tenths of the footwork.

Zhang Tiantai tested him several times on the crucial steps and directional shifts, and Meng Yuxi answered every one correctly, which finally put Zhang Tiantai at ease.

"My disciple, your method of memorization is truly a unique talent. Although I am still young, I have taken on many disciples, yet none of them possess a memory as sharp as yours," Zhang Tiantai said with a laugh.

"Master, would you like to learn it? I can teach you. It’s actually quite simple; you just need to use..."

The memory method Meng Yuxi used was a form of graphic visualization he had practiced since childhood, where he would set several "anchor points" deep within his mind and then build his memories around them.

"Oh, forget it. Your method is indeed ingenious, but having too good a memory is a source of misery. As your master, I advise you not to be so sharp-minded in the future." Seeing that Meng Yuxi nodded in agreement but wore an expression of dismissive skepticism, he added, "You are still young; you will understand when you are older."

Meng Yuxi bowed deeply to Zhang Tiantai and asked, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. But may I ask, what is the name of this martial art?"

Zhang Tiantai chuckled. "The name is quite beautiful. Listen closely. When I was in seclusion in the mountain cave, I spent so much time thinking about how to walk that my head began to ache, so I casually named this art the 'Three Steps of the Great Road.' Once your inner energy is profound enough to focus your spirit into a sword, the true brilliance of these three steps will emerge. As the saying goes: 'After the deed is done, brush off your sleeves and leave; no harm shall touch your body.'"

"What do you think, disciple? Is the name I chose good? However, if you receive further inspiration from my artistic vision and come up with a new name, feel free to say so. After all, we are the only two in the world who know the full extent of this art. I provide the form, you provide the name; a name that echoes through history would be best—that would be a legendary tale indeed. My reputation as the master of the founding disciple will surely soar across the world thanks to this art!" Zhang Tiantai burst into laughter.

Zhang Tiantai felt that while "Three Steps of the Great Road" was a bit imposing, he was, after all, a monument of literature in the Dali Dynasty; it would be a disservice to his status not to have a refined and resonant name for his self-created art.

Meng Yuxi thought to himself that the footwork was extremely complex, with the placement of each step so counterintuitive it felt like the distance between heaven and earth, making it impossible to predict. These three strikes were designed to be launched from the very places an enemy would least expect, truly deep and unfathomable.

He pondered for a long time, looking at the thin morning clouds and the stars that had yet to fade from the sky, and said, "Master, what do you think of the name 'Cloud-Bearing, Star-Pressing Sword'? In this sky, the only things that can stand alongside the sun and moon are the stars and the clouds. I dare not say this art of yours rivals the sun and moon, but it certainly shines with them, destined to overshadow the stars and clouds above!"

Meng Yuxi said this with his head lowered and a sincere tone, stealing glances at Zhang Tiantai to gauge his reaction.

As the saying goes, flattery never fails. With Zhang Tiantai’s heaven-defying abilities, building a good relationship with him would ensure his own life path remained smooth.

Zhang Tiantai didn't grasp the meaning at first, but upon hearing Meng Yuxi mention "shining with the sun and moon," he understood instantly and roared with laughter.

"Excellent, excellent! I truly did not choose the wrong disciple."

"Haha, don't worry, good disciple. I have already arranged for your martial nephew to transmit his internal energy to you. Although he can be a bit stingy, he values the bonds of our sect above all else. Practice this Cloud-Bearing, Star-Pressing Sword until you are familiar with it, and when the time is right, I will summon him to transmit his energy to you."

Zhang Tiantai stroked his beard, still feeling the lingering excitement. He followed Meng Yuxi's gaze toward the sky and, after a moment, clapped his hands. "Marvelous! Marvelous! That is the name! If I hadn't been cooped up in that cave staring at my own feet, I would have surely thought of the name 'Cloud-Bearing, Star-Pressing Sword' myself, hahaha!"

"The relationship between the clouds and the stars is so like a love that meets by chance but is destined to have no ending... tsk, tsk, my poetic inspiration is flowing! I must find paper and brush quickly; I cannot let the scholars of Dali live in regret for the rest of their lives. Good disciple, you must practice this sword art every day and never let it fall into neglect..."

By the time Zhang Tiantai uttered the words "poetic inspiration," he had already vanished.

Meng Yuxi bowed once more toward the spot where Zhang Tiantai had disappeared, then headed down the mountain toward Su City. He had only taken a few steps when he saw Xiao Cui, Zhang Long, and Zhao Hu running toward him in a panic.

Before they had even reached him, Xiao Cui cried out, "Young Master! We searched for you all night without a trace. You have worried Xiao Cui to death!"

Meng Yuxi looked at Xiao Cui’s flushed face and smiled faintly. "What is there to worry about? I just went up the mountain to admire the night sky."

"Greetings, Young Master!" Zhang Long and Zhao Hu knelt.

Ever since they lost track of Meng Yuxi outside the Su City government office, they had been searching relentlessly. It was only when they sensed his presence in the city moments ago that they were finally relieved.

Meng Yuxi hurried to help them up, but they refused to rise, kowtowing in unison. "We have been derelict in our duty! Please, Young Master, punish us!"

Meng Yuxi then realized they were apologizing for losing him when he was abducted. He hadn't considered himself in any real danger, and he wasn't accustomed to being knelt to—in his past life, only capitalists and the dead received such treatment. He stepped aside and said with a smile, "I was merely out for a stroll; what crime have you committed?"

The two felt they had been negligent. Meng Hongchang had ordered them to stay by Meng Yuxi’s side at all costs, yet they had lost him for an entire night. They felt they had failed their master and insisted on performing the three prostrations and nine kowtows.

However, Meng Yuxi kept shifting his position, adamantly refusing their gesture. The two turned to face him again, only to find that as they moved, Meng Yuxi had shifted again. They let out a sound of surprise—this footwork of his was wondrous; though he seemed to be walking normally, once the steps were connected, they could not track where he would land. They tried several more times, but the result was the same.

"May I ask, Young Master, you disappeared so suddenly outside the government office—are you quite alright?" Zhang Long and Zhao Hu asked with concern, wondering if Meng Yuxi had encountered some supernatural entity, given the strangeness of his movement.

Meng Yuxi helped them up. "I am perfectly fine. Rise quickly; we must head to 'Heaven on Earth.' There is no time to play around here."

The two had no choice but to stand.

"By the way, where is Meng Xueqiao? Why is he not here?" Meng Yuxi asked casually.

"Replying to Young Master, Fifth Young Master was taken back to the Meng manor by Steward Fang last night while he was listening to music at 'Heaven on Earth.' Now, all the young masters of the manor are studying diligently, hoping to earn a name for themselves when the Emperor arrives. Young Master, you should also apply yourself to your studies during this time," Xiao Cui answered with her head bowed.

Meng Yuxi didn't need to ask to know that Wu Jiwen would certainly never seek him out for matters of study.

"Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, who was the Fifth Young Master listening to at 'Heaven on Earth'? It wouldn't happen to be Miss Qinglian, would it?"

Zhang Long and Zhao Hu looked at each other and shook their heads. "We do not know, Young Master."

Meng Yuxi turned and draped an arm over Xiao Cui’s shoulder, pulling her lovely face toward his, and whispered with a smile, "If you ask me, it is you who deserves to be punished."