Chapter 492 Part 2

Chapter 492 Part 2: The Martial Ancestor of the Mortal World (2)

Those words fell.

The once noisy training ground suddenly fell silent, and for a moment, all that could be heard was the sound of the cold wind and the snowflakes falling.

The middle-aged Flying Fish Guard, who had been holding his breath, had his pupils narrow, and his cane slipped from his grip, falling onto the snowy ground.

He never expected such an answer.

A Qiao family member is too powerful.

The strongest Qiao family elders, Qiao Shuangtu and Qiao Yao, could defeat anyone in the Jiu Province, and the Immortal Gate would retreat wherever they went.

And there are actually two such powerful figures.

There were even up to ten members of the Qiao family appearing at the same time behind Qiao Shuangtu and Qiao Yao, and each of them was a legendary fighter with incredible power from years of practice.

Not to mention Qiao Shuangtu and Qiao Yao; just one of these strong fighters could change the outcome of the battle!

The Qiao family members are just too mysterious and unpredictable.

Such powerful fighters seemed to pop up like they were coming out of the cracks in the rocks, endlessly appearing—one would die, and another would come; one would die, and a whole group would follow.

Eventually, the Qiao family members became a legendary tale known by everyone in the entire Jiu Province!

They hardly seemed human; they were like living myths!

But now…

The myth of the martial arts heroes has been shattered.

It was broken by Qiao Xin himself.

"The martial arts of the Qiao family, who can still fight, have gone to chase the ancestor of the Immortal Gate, leaving this Jiu Province?"

"Master Qiao is talking about those ten or so strong members of the Qiao family who swept through Jiu Province together with Qiao Shuangtu and Qiao Yao, right?"

"Aside from those people, there should be many more skilled martial artists in the Qiao family, right? What about the younger Qiao family members? They can’t have vanished completely…" The middle-aged man with a broken leg spoke with a shaky voice but continued:

"Even if just one of them came, it should be enough to turn the tide…"

"Where are they? Where are they all?"

Just as he said this, he felt many eyes staring at him from all around, making him feel pricked like a thorn and cut like a knife.

"Oh, younger Qiao family members? Can you guess where they all are?"

On one side of the training ground, hundreds of old soldiers had remained silent, but now one of the old soldiers finally couldn’t hold back and spoke up:

"They are in Nan Province, in the Hundred-mile Desert of Zhong Province, in Kuafu Mountain of Western Province…."

Every place the members of the Qiao family passed through, they almost left behind their bodies.

The martial artists, who were once lively and passionate, suddenly cooled down as they realized a shocking truth.

There are no more members of the Qiao family.

"Is it true that the martial arts of the old Qiao family have all perished? Is the Qiao family extinct?"

"Are the members of the Qiao family not… endless?"

This should be a universal truth: when a person is killed, they die; when many people die, the family is gone.

But when this happened to the members of the Qiao family, it was hard for people to react.

"Will the members of the Qiao family really become extinct?"

This reality fell upon the martial artists like an earthquake, instantly shattering their hopes.

"Don’t worry." Qiao Xin smiled again at that moment.

"I am going to die soon, but today I am awakened for my final farewell."

"Without further ado, I will demonstrate martial arts one last time in this manor."

The martial artists were slightly stunned.

At this point, will we really demonstrate martial arts?

Some reacted, like the middle-aged man with the broken leg, who felt a surge of joy in his heart:

"Before he dies, he will demonstrate martial arts, which must mean he is going to teach us the incredible Qiao family skills. If we learn them, we might save the day!"

No matter what people thought in their hearts.

When Qiao Xin announced he would demonstrate martial arts, they all naturally quieted down and gradually set aside their distractions.

All the shock, sadness, and joy from before… every emotion had all been gathered away.

The martial artists started to listen carefully like never before, and at that moment, only Qiao Xin’s voice filled the training ground.

Members of the Qiao family had often shown their skills in this Peach Blossom Villa many times before.

But this time, it was the last time for the Qiao family member to demonstrate their skills, and they naturally cherished it and listened more seriously than ever.

"The path of martial arts begins with training strength, filled with energy and blood, and muscles that are strong, leading to inner strength that grows…"

However, to their surprise, Qiao Xin was not talking about any new, legendary Qiao family techniques this time, but rather the basics of martial arts.

These basic principles of martial arts had been discussed by Qiao family members many times at the villa, but today they were being organized and explained from the start once again.

"After mastering martial arts, one achieves True strength. After True strength, the essence lies in the word ‘spirit,’" Qiao Xin continued.

"When the spirit connects, naturally the ghosts and spirits are kept at bay."

"But where does the path of martial arts lead next? Is it to the superb rank of strength, skill, and spirit?"

"And what comes after that?" Qiao Xin said.

"The ‘Human Path Sutra’ has not yet been fully understood, and our Qiao family is also struggling to figure out the next step in the ‘Human Path Sutra.’"

"Even if one’s energy remains strong and relies on the Human Path Sutra to continuously build up their energy, reaching the level of youth again, there is still a thin line that separates them from the true peak of adulthood."

Qiao Mu said:

"And that thin line, while it may seem small, is the fundamental difference between being complete and having flaws."

"As for how to reach that level…." he looked at the many martial artists in front of him and smiled gently.

"It will depend on all of your wisdom."

After summarizing the earthly martial arts, Qiao Xin began to ask questions.

Just like a teacher before summer vacation, he left a huge pile of homework, all urgent and fundamental questions related to the path of martial arts.

"Alright, the lesson in martial arts ends here," Qiao Xin said.

The martial artists were shocked and looked up, unable to respond at first.

Qiao Xin’s words were indeed thought-provoking; they organized the path of martial arts and pointed out the future direction for Jiu Province’s martial arts, carrying deep significance.

But these were not what they most wanted to hear.

"Is that all?" the middle-aged man with a broken leg couldn’t help but say.

"Is there no new Qiao family martial arts to teach?"

"With Jiu Province in such danger, with evil forces rampant, isn’t there anything that can change the situation…"

"Wake up, such things don’t exist," Qiao Xin chuckled.

"After saying so much, is there really no way to turn the tide?" The middle-aged man with a broken leg and other martial artists shouted at this moment.

"Yes."

"The Qiao family has unmatched skills, and their background is very deep. They are no less than any Immortal Gate. Could it be that Dao Zhen has no solution?"

The martial artists became a bit anxious.

At first, they thought Qiao Xin was going to take action against the Immortal Gate, but it turned out he wasn’t.

Then they thought Qiao Xin was going to teach them a new amazing martial art, but that didn’t happen either!

All this talk, isn’t it that there is no way at all, but just telling them that the Qiao family member is already gone?

When the Jiu Province enters an era without the Qiao family.

The mountains go and return, where can we find the foolish old man?

Qiao Xin looked at the many martial artists in front of him.

"So, you are still hoping that I, a dying man, and the already dwindled Qiao family will suddenly produce an unmatched master who can sweep through the world and save everyone."

Qiao Xin pulled at the corner of his mouth.

"After suffering and experiencing hardship, do you expect a hero to miraculously save the day? When faced with injustice, do you hope for a wise judge to bring fairness?"

The martial artists were momentarily speechless, including the middle-aged man with the broken leg.

"Wake up! In my view, there is no savior who can change the course of history." He said:

"You can consider us family members of the Qiao family, but we, the Qiao family members, will not bear such unnecessary burdens."

Qiao Xin’s gaze was calm as he asked again:

"I want to ask you once more, what do you think martial arts is?"

"What is the difference between martial arts and the way of the immortals? If we say that an immortal is a person from the mountains, then what are the mountains?"

"Ending weapons as a form of martial arts?" Some people in the crowd began to speak.

"The skills that strengthen the body are martial arts," someone said.

"Strengthening the body, practicing strength, and spiritual refining—this is what martial arts truly are."

There were many different opinions about martial arts, and Qiao Xin did not discuss right or wrong; he only shared his understanding:

"In my view, what we call martial arts is a means and tool for the weak who do not have natural talent to become strong." Qiao Xin continued:

"The weak practice martial arts to empower themselves, using it to forge their bodies and minds, to fight against injustice, to resist oppression, to overcome their own cowardice and the lowliness of the world, and to express their sense of ‘righteousness’ and ‘principles’ with their fists."

"And this method of self-empowerment, haven’t we members of the Qiao family already passed it down?"

The martial artists seemed to ponder deeply.

In recent years, have the Qiao family members not shared incredible skills with the world?

Half of the "Human Path Sutra" has allowed countless elderly martial artists to stay strong and return to the battlefield.

A copy of the "Divine Transformation Technique" completes the Spiritual Refining Martial Art, helping Spirit Refining martial artists achieve true strength.

There are also remarkable skills like the "Blood Origin Skill" and the "Spiritual Sound Conducting Technique" among many others…

It is true that the Qiao family members do not possess unbeatable skills to turn the tide or have invincible warriors to sweep the world, but these extraordinary techniques are indeed a path from weakness to strength.

You must know, how many years has Peach Blossom Villa been around?

In the one or two years before, considering the three years the Qiao family members disappeared, it has only been a little over four years.

More than four years, what can you really practice? The Iron Crotch Skill might not even show results, how much better can a divine skill be?

Before the Qiao family members and Peach Blossom Villa appeared, the gap between martial arts and the immortal path was as different as sky and earth.

But now in Jiu Province, martial arts and the four great Immortal Gates… although still not as strong, clearly at a disadvantage, are not without the power to fight back.

If the martial artists of Jiu Province continue to practice these skills, will the situation in the world change in five or ten years?

"There has never been a savior, nor any deities or saints." Qiao Xin said deeply:

"The fate of the ordinary people in Jiu Province must be fought for by the ordinary people themselves."

"What the Qiao family left behind for the world was not a peerless master, but strong weapons and means."

"As for whether you want to practice martial arts and become stronger, taking up weapons; or surrender and let Jiu Province become a breeding ground for the Immortal Gates…"

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate. I have done all I can; for the next ten years, or even decades, it will depend on you all."

As Qiao Xin spoke, the figure sitting cross-legged on the Martial Arts Performance Platform began to fade away.

He was just a flesh clone of Qiao Mu, and since he had finished speaking, there was no need to linger.

Human affairs belong to humans; he is just doing what he wants to do, not acting as a savior, nor taking on extra responsibilities.

"I will end my words here; everyone, take care," Qiao Xin said calmly.

"From now on, there will be no Qiao family members in the human world."

As these words were spoken, the area around the Martial Arts Performance Platform fell silent, filled with an indescribable light sadness.

Just then, an old warrior with gray hair raised his head; it was Li Changshi.

"What Master Qiao said is incorrect," Li Changshi said, his gaze calm yet firm.

"Why must this Qiao family member necessarily share the surname Qiao?" He stood up and walked to the Martial Arts Performance Platform, speaking loudly.

"Though the Jiu Province is vast, who would dare to mistreat the Qiao family?"

The words hung in the air.

The three hundred old soldiers behind him made no sound; they only gazed quietly, their eyes locking with Qiao Xin’s.

Qiao Mu looked at the three hundred old soldiers, scanned the crowd, passed over Founding Emperor Yan, glanced at the talkative middle-aged man with a broken leg, and also looked at Xue Changhe, Wu Mingkong, and other rising stars.

In this world.

There will always be small-minded people who judge others by themselves, believing that there are no honest men, and all they see are shady dealings.

And there will always be noble gentlemen who respect the way and uphold righteousness, remembering that there is justice in the world, and their hearts are filled with integrity.

"Good," Qiao Xin said with a gentle smile.

"From now on, there will be no Qiao, but anyone can be a Qiao family member."

He closed his eyes and took his last breath.

……………………………..

Members of the Qiao family come and go in the world.

They arrive in a flurry, leaving behind only the bodies of Qiao family members and the martial arts they struggled to develop over eighteen thousand years.

Li Gongde stood at a distance in the crowd, staring intently at the group around Qiao Xin’s body, and sighed:

"The earth has great virtue and supports all life. The Qiao family appeared in the world like a fleeting flower, sweeping through Jiu Province Immortal Gate in three years; such a powerful family was completely wiped out in just three years."

"But even though the family has collapsed, there remains a mountain of treasures to bless future generations."

Founding Emperor Yan looked up at the sky and saw the thick snow falling.

At this moment, the snow grew heavier, and the cold wind became more biting, soon covering Peach Blossom Villa with a thick layer of snow.

Now even the faint sun, as dull as a coin, had disappeared, and only the cold wind could be heard in the world.

The snow continued to fall, and the cold wind became even more piercing; this harsh winter had just begun.

This journey to Peach Blossom Villa in Nan Province was originally just to seek help and find a way to save the world, but at this moment, he already vaguely had an answer in his heart.

Qiao Xin was the longest-living member of the Qiao family in the human world, but now even he has left.

From now on, there will be no Qiao family members in the world, and a martial arts legend that once echoed through Jiu Province has quietly come to an end.

This should be a sad thing.

Yet for some reason, a gentle warmth spread in his heart, as if a small flame was blooming inside.

"The Immortal Gate has its own ancestors, but in the human world of martial arts, there have always been its own martial arts ancestors too."